Cornelius Bennett

Bio

Alabama linebacker Cornelius Bennett was a great college player for a number of reasons. According to Coach Ray Perkins, one reason was that he, “Practices every day like he’s trying to make the team.” That dedication led to his winning the Lombardi Award in his senior season. Bennett came to Alabama as a highly recruited player who excelled in high school at fullback and tight end on offense, and linebacker and defensive end on defense. In his freshman season, he was the team’s second leading tackler and scored a touchdown off a blocked punt against LSU. He moved from outside to inside linebacker as a sophomore, where he had six games in which he posted double-digit tackle figures. He moved back to outside linebacker as a junior and became a first-team All-America. He also repeated on the all-conference team despite missing three games to injury. Bennett had ten sacks as a senior, placed seventh in the Heisman voting and became a unanimous All-America. When he completed his career he was named to the Alabama “Team of the Century,” and the school’s “Player of the Decade” for the 1980’s. In the professional ranks he played 13 seasons participating in five Super Bowls with the Bills and Falcons.

Career Highlights

• 1986 All-Conference
• 1986 Conference MVP
• 1986 Heisman - Seventh
• 1986 Lombardi Award Winner
• 1986 Unanimous All-America
• 1985 All-Conference
• 1985 First Team All-America
• 1984 All-Conference