Cornelius Bennett Returns to Alabama Crimson Tide : Hall of Famer Joins Coaching Staff as Defensive Backs Specialist Congratulations Cornelius…….

Cornelius Bennett Returns to Alabama Crimson Tide : Hall of Famer Joins Coaching Staff as Defensive Backs Specialist Congratulations…

Cornelius O’Landa Bennett (1965- ) was a star linebacker for the University of Alabama (UA) Crimson Tide from 1984-1986 followed by a notable career playing in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Indianapolis Colts from 1986 to 2000. Bennett was elected to numerous All American and All-SEC teams, won the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and received Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year. In the NFL, he was named Rookie of the Year, made five Super Bowl appearances, and was elected to five Pro Bowl teams. He has been elected to both the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Bennett was born on August 25, 1965, in Birmingham, Jefferson County, to Lino, a retired steelworker, and Lillie Bennett; he had one sibling, a brother. Growing up in the Ensley section of Birmingham, Bennett was a multi-sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and football at Ensley High School. By his senior year in 1982, Bennett was the state’s top football prospect, having run for 1,099 yards as a fullback and catching 12 touchdown passes as a tight end that same year. During his senior year, Cornelius was recruited by Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant from the University of Alabama. Bennett signed with the university just a month after Ray Perkins was hired as the new head coach to succeed the retiring Bryant.

he was named by United Press International as the American Football Conference (AFC) Co-Defensive Player of the Year and AFC linebacker of the year. Following the 1989 season, he was awarded the Sington Trophy (named after Fred Sington, who played tackle for the University of Alabama) as the Male Athlete of the Year in Alabama. In 1991, he was an All Pro First Team Selection who played five different positions and led the Buffalo Bills in sacks, quarterback pressures, and forced fumbles and was again named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year. In 1992, he and his wife Tracey divorced.

After eight years with the Buffalo Bills, in 1996 Bennett became a free agent and signed with the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he played until 1999, and made one visit to the Super Bowl, which the Falcons lost. In 1997, he married his wife Kimberly, with whom he would have two daughters and a son. In February 1998, he was sentenced to two months in jail and three years’ probation for sexual assault against a female acquaintance. From 1999-2000, Bennett played for the Indianapolis Colts before retiring in 2000 and moving to Florida.