Bills LB Cornelius Bennett (97) - George Rose/Getty Images
When Cornelius Bennett arrived in Orchard Park, New York, from the Indianapolis Colts, he was an unproven prospect with very little knowledge of a defensive playbook.
Luckily, head coach Marv Levy had a great defensive staff on hand. In a game against the Denver Broncos, they told Bennett to just go after the quarterback.
It was no easy feat as the signal caller on the other side was John Elway. A man who would redefine the 1990s and become a Hall of Famer. But on this day, Bennett wanted to make the Bills fans and Elway know who he was for a long time.
Let’s take a look at how Bennett became the player he was.
Bennett’s Open Door into NFL Greatness
On November 1, 1987, Bennett’s play did the talking. He frustrated Elway the whole game, forcing a sack and two tackles. The Bills held on for a 21-14 win over Denver.
“We did not have any film to study (of Bennett),” Bronco Coach Dan Reeves said. “We knew he would be a force to be reckoned with.”
Buffalo Coach Marv Levy said: “I thought he did some good things. He put some pressure on. I think he’s a heck of an addition.”
Said Bennett: “It was super. I knew I had to use my speed to pressure the quarterback. I think I did a decent job. Elway told me, ‘Welcome to the NFL,’ and that was about all he said.”
Growing Up Cornelius Bennett
Bennett was born to parents Lino and Lillie on Aug. 25, 1965, in Birmingham, Alabama. He also grew up with one brother. As a kid, Bennett played multiple sports. He participated in baseball and football at Ensely High School in Birmingham. Nevertheless, he was Alabama’s number-one recruiting prospect in football during his senior year.
He also played two positions on the offensive side of the ball that same year. He had 1,099 rushing yards as a fullback and reeled in 12 touchdown passes at tight end. To the shock of no one, Bennett committed to the University of Alabama, coached by Ray Perkins, after Paul “Bear” Bryant retired.
At Alabama, Bennett’s academic major was social work. On the field, he became just the second player in school history to be named a three-time consecutive All-American (the first being linebacker Woodrow Lowe).
Spotlight: Cornelius Bennett: The Sack
Although Bennett had an excellent senior season, one memory still lasts with him. In a 28-10 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the All-American put quarterback Steve Beuerlein on his back.
In Tommy Hicks’ 2006 book, Game of My Life Alabama: Memorable Stories of Crimson Tide Football, Bennett described it as “just reaction.”
“The defensive play– the sack– was called ‘Tight dog cover plus one.’ It happened just as fast for me as it did for the fans. It was just reaction. It was almost like (Beuerlein) took the snap, and there I was. It almost happened too fast. In my entire football career I had hit guys with less of a lick that I hit (him), but that was the first time I was worried I had really hurt someone. He never saw it coming.”
Beuerlein did, on the play, obtain a mild concussion and shared time with backup QB Terry Andrysiak.
“I’d been hit hard before, but not when I didn’t see it coming,” Beuerlein told the Chicago Tribune afterward. “When I got up, I saw mouths moving, but I heard no voices.”
Therefore, sports artist Daniel Moore anointed the play as The Sack in his painting, portraying his view of the play. In addition, Bennett was the first linebacker to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy over his head. This trophy annually awards the best linebacker in college football. He earned a part on Alabama’s hypothetical “Team of the Century in 1992.”
Right after graduation, Bennett married his first wife, Tracey, who was also from Alabama. The couple had no children together.
Spotlight: Cornelius Bennett – NFL Draft
In 1987, the Indianapolis Colts picked Bennett as number two overall in the NFL draft. Bennett ranks among the highest Crimson Tide pick in NFL draft history since quarterback Joe Namath in 1965.
Bennett did not attend the Colts’ training camp due to contract issues. The Bills acquired him in a trade with Indy, known as the “Trade of the Decade.” In October, Bennett arrived in Orchard Park and played a considerable role in the Bills’ Glory days. The talented athlete played with the Bills from 1987 to 1995 and went to four straight Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. In 1987, Sports Illustrated named Bennett their Rookie of the Year.
For the 1990 season, Bennett changed his jersey number from 55 to 97, his college number, which was worn previously by Scott Radecic. In 1992, he and his wife, Tracey, divorced.
In addition, Bennett went to the Pro Bowl five times and the league knew him as a sack machine. Sadly, all the memories ended in 1996 when he tested the free agency waters and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons,
In 1997, Bennett married his second and current wife, Kimberly. They have two daughters and a son.
Atlanta Falcons – Super Bowl 33
Bennett would have Deja Vu happen to him in Super Bowl 33. Playing the Denver Broncos with an older Elway at quarterback meant earning another opportunity to sack him. The difference is that the two were older and playing for all the marbles this time.
Bennett’s wishes came true as he sacked Elway once again. Nevertheless, Elway’s Broncos won Super Bowl 33 by a score of 34-19. Bennett was on a Falcons defense that featured Pro Bowl CB Ray Buchanan.
Why Biscuit?
The speedy linebacker’s friends would always call Cornelius “Biscuit” because they said he always had room for one more.
Accomplishments
Bennett played 14 seasons in the NFL but will always be a Buffalo Bills at heart. He totaled 71.5 sacks, seven interceptions, three touchdowns, 31 forced fumbles, and 27 fumble recoveries. Additionally, The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inducted Bennett in 2004.
A year later, in 2005, the College Football Hall of Fame also inducted the NFL legend. In May 2010, Bennett stated that he would donate his brain to football science. Or the technical term, to study concussions.
Spotlight: Cornelius Bennett
Every year, Bennett sponsors his annual Cornelius Bennett Celebrity Golf Tournament for Children’s Village Inc., a Birmingham home for foster boys and girls.
Bennett was a menace as a linebacker in the NFL, but for years, he has given back to his community.
After retiring from football in 2000, Bennett moved down to Florida. He still lives in Hollywood, Florida, with his wife Kimberly.
