You're taught to tough it out. Bennett was drafted 27th overall by the Vikings in the 2001 NFL Draft. Bennett is now onto the post-football chapter of his life, but we should remember how well, and in how many ways, he represented himself during his time in the NFL. It’s the amount of racial inequality and the racial disparities in America. It’s the connection to humanity and the intersectionality that leaves me vindicated, because when you stand on the right side of truth, then you don’t have to worry about darkness, because the light is on those issues. So, that was one Michael Bennett — the hyper-intelligent guy who could recite the history of civil rights violations chapter and verse, and had no issue putting his own name on the line to fight what needed to be fought. July 21, 2020 4:01 pm ET. I got really dark because you do something all your life from 5 years old to 34 or 35 years old, and then it stops. It’s the history of lynchings and sundown towns. Garrett Gilbert doesn't have to worry about adding to his family's legacy in 2020. In a recent interview with Dave Zirin of The Nation, Bennett talked about the recent uprising in athlete awareness — something he helped to ignite. Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) tackles New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the third quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Former Viking Michael Bennett was part of a group of men who brought bogus tax refund checks to a check cashing store that was actually run by the FBI. He has opened up about his mental health during his time there, which could be the positive he needs from that negative experience to turn things around. Bennett was pure speed, so much so that it was said he was fast enough to make it to the Olympics as a sprinter. You have to be tough and you have to have a tough mind. On New England’s first four offensive plays, Bennett lined up at left end, left tackle, right tackle, and right end, and hurried Tom Brady on three of those plays. “As the great Toni Morrison said: ‘Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.’“. The perpetual cycle of being over-policed. Sadly, this is the outcome for a number of former football players who have spent the majority of their life playing the sport. “Nah, I don’t feel vindicated,” he said. Michael A. Bennett Position: RB 5-9, 205lb (175cm, 92kg) Born: August 13, 1978 in Milwaukee, WI. Vikings Territory brings you the latest Vikings news, rumors, speculation, and reaction surrounding the Minnesota Vikings and is part of the purpleTERRITORY Media LLC network! Bennett said that he wanted Avril involved because Avril didn’t get enough national attention, and that was the only way the thing was going to happen. What's wrong with me? The perpetual cycle of race. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Bennett, who played college football at Wisconsin, was named to the Pro Bowl after he gained 1,296 yards for the Vikings in 2002. One suspects that in retirement, he’ll be even more predisposed to address these concerns. Pro-Football-Reference utilizes Official NFL data for current NFL seasons. Mohamed Ibrahim scored four touchdowns in a 42-14 victory. Either way, dude was fast. To say life after football has been challenging for former Minnesota Vikings running back Michael Bennett would be an understatement. There’s also the Michael Bennett who was an absolutely unstoppable force at his peak. All rights reserved. (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports). Perhaps they mean his non-combine 40, as there are conflicting numbers depending on where you look. in Milwaukee, WI, College: Injuries will play a key role in an NFC North battle. Want Vikings news straight to your inbox? That would be four with Buffalo and one with the San Diego Chargers. The controversial proposal was reported by NFL.com's Jim Trotter. One who stands underneath the light is vindicated, anyway it goes.”. Wisconsin Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. As soon as he entered the NFL, the expectations were very high for Michael Bennett. Follow on Twitter: @vtPTSD, © 2020 Vikings Territory / purpleTERRITORY Media LLC| All Rights Reserved, Apparently AP is mad at Zimmer/the Vikings too, This Means MORE! Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? (College Stats), Weighted Career AV (100-95-...): 34 (3153rd overall since 1960). Conventional wisdom heading into this college football season has been that there is unlikely to be much coaching turnover.Between pandemic-related revenue losses and the complications…. At 6-foot-4 and (maybe) 275 pounds, Bennett had a unique ability to not only rush off the edge, but to kick inside and disrupt against guards and centers as well. The team needed a replacement for the retired Robert Smith in the backfield, and thought that Bennett could be … Frey’s Fantasy Focus: Will Dalvin Cook Whip up More TDs? He tallied nearly 1,300 yards on the ground and also had 351 yards through the air from 37 catches. Your privacy is safe with us. waft to Minnesota? Bennett, who pleaded no contest to felony burglary and identity theft charges in 2017, has been opening up about personal struggles that have followed him since he was a boy growing up in Wisconsin. 15 Worst Free Agents Signings of All-Time, Jerick McKinnon hoping to remain with 49ers in 2020, T.J. Warren Drops 35 as Pacers Hold off Giannis-Less Bucks to Snap 6-Game Skid, Steve Hutchinson well deserving of Pro Football Hall of Fame nod, Vikings legend John Randle stars in amazing Super Bowl commercial. The Baltimore Ravens' receiving corps has needed a jolt. Please check your email for a confirmation. Last week, he was assigned to mimic Steelers' star rookie Chase Claypool at practice. "I was put in dog kennels. 2002 was Bennett’s breakout (and only good) season. Retiring feels a little like death of self, but I’m looking forward to the rebirth – the opportunity to reimagine my purpose. Or write about sports? Bennett went to the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season after leading the Vikings with 1,296 rushing yards, but the injury bug limited his production the next three seasons and he eventually bounced around the league until 2010 while playing for the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Chargers and Raiders. Draft: Minnesota Vikings in the 1st round (27th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. Big boys don't cry, you're a football player. "Then there comes that dark side when you're done playing. Bennett had already established himself as one of the league’s best multi-gap pass-rushers, but this was above and beyond. Normally, I would run at 205. "This could have been my family." It was in Oakland when Bennett says he was struggling to the point that he held a gun to his head contemplating suicide.