Bennie Blades

Infobox NFLretired


|caption=
width=
position=Defensive Back
number=36
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|9|3
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
deathdate=
debutyear=1988
finalyear=1997
draftyear=1988
draftround=1
draftpick=3
college=University of Miami
teams=
* Detroit Lions (1988-1996)
* Seattle Seahawks (1997)
stat1label=Interceptions
stat1value=14
stat2label=INT yards
stat2value=230
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=1
nfl=BLA415272
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (1991)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=90110

Horatio Benedict Blades (born September 3, 1966 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a former American football cornerback and safety in the NFL.

University of Miami

Blades played a big part in the University of Miami's winning the 1987 NCAA National Championship. He also won the Jim Thorpe Award in that year and, in 2006, was named to the College Football Hall of Fame for his play at the University of Miami.During his play at Miami he and the secondary defense he led were lovingly nicknamed "Bennie and the Jets," for their incredible speed, ability to anticipate what the opposing team's offense was going to do, and delivering such hard hits & spectacular plays that would leave you breathless. He was also very well known for taunting and intidmidating opposing players, but he was not the only one. This is a trait that the University of Miami Football Team will never live down, no matter how hard they try. A self proclaimed shy, quiet guy off the field, he has been quoted saying that he doesn't know what it is, but when he puts on that helmet, he wants to tear someone's head off.

NFL career

Following his graduation from the University of Miami, Blades entered the 1988 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons in the NFL. He played for the Detroit Lions from 1988-1996 and the 1997 season with the Seattle Seahawks, teaming up with his older brother, wide receiver Brian Blades, who also played collegiate football at the University of Miami.

Personal

Blades' son is Washington Redskins linebacker H. B. Blades.

Bennie Blades and his brother Brian Blades attended Piper High School (Florida) and played in the football program there.

Bennie Blades is now the Headmaster, Athletic Director and volunteer Football and Track Coach at Academy High School in Coral Springs, FL.

External links

* [http://www.miamist.com/archives/2006/05/31/the_interview_bennie_blades.php "Bennie Blades: The Interview"] , "The Miamist", May 31, 2006.