Cornelius Bennett was a well decorated LB who played college ball at Alabama from 1984-’86.
Bennett recorded 287 tackles, 21.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries for the Tide.
Considered a part of one of the finest LB classes in 1987, Bennett was selected in the first round by the Indianapolis Colts.
Unable to come to a contract agreement with the Colts, he became embroiled in one of the NFL’s largest trades- as part of the Eric Dickerson trade.
In short with a slew of picks and players, Bennett would go to the Rams, Dickerson to the Colts, Greg Bell to the Rams, and Bennett to the Bills.
Cornelius’ impact was felt almost immediately for the Bills at the LOLB position.
He had 8.5 sacks, 5 FF, and 69 tackles in 8 contests.
His best season arguably came in 1991, with 107 tackles, 4 FF and 9 sacks- garnering him defensive player of the year attention.
Bennett tried his hand at RILB in 1995- recording a 65 yard interception for a TD against New England.
In 1996, Cornelius took his game back to his home state of Alabama playing for the Falcons at LLB.
He’d play there through 1998, helping them reach the Super Bowl.
Ironically he’d then play the final two years of his career for the Colts and retire after the 2000 season.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
Lombardi Award
Bills 50th Anniversary Team
NFL 1990s All Decade Time
All Pro 1988, ’91, ’92
Pro Bowl 1988, 1990-’93
NOTES:
Cornelius doesn’t sign TTM so I just went ahead and did a paid signing for him. At the time it knocked out my set needs, but now looking back I probably needed him on a few more sets. Cornelius has agreed to donate his brain to science after his death to study for CTE.
I took my daughter to her first autograph signing with none other than Vince Young at the opening of a Crunch Fitness. Even though she was bored out of her mind, I’m glad she got the experience and went with me.
VY signed 4-5 or more for people in front of me, but when I got up there, he just signed two for me and one for my daughter. That was it. I got back in line and waited when I started noticing they were kicking people out of line who got back up him who had already gotten a few. Vince was cordial but the gatekeepers were honoring his request for no repeat people jumping back in line for additional autographs.
The guys behind me didn’t have any cards or memorabilia to get signed, so I just gave them my extra cards. They were floored and asked me if I wanted something for them. I could’ve probably worked out a deal for them to get an extra autograph each from VY for me, but at this point- why bother? No big deal.
Again, VY always brings me to that crossroads of, “Is it worth it anymore for me? Does this bring me joy or just occupy time?”
CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Topps XFL 2020 ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Home SENT: 4/20 RECEIVED: 5/1 (11 Days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Jonathan Hayes played TE for Iowa from 1982-’84.
He caught 50 passes for 602 yards and 5 TDs for the Hawkeyes.
Second round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1985.
A formidable blocker he caught 22 passes in 1988, and then a career high 24 in 1993.
Signed with the Steelers in 1994 and finished out his playing career there after the 1996 season.
Joined Bob Stoops coaching staff in Oklahoma during 1999 as a TE/ Special Teams coach.
In 2003, took over the TE coaching duties for the Cincinnati Bengals.
He’d become a mainstay on the Bengals staff, serving in his duties through the 2018 season.
Jonathan got his first head coaching and GM gig with the XFL in 2020.
He’d guide the St. Louis Battle Hawks to a 3-2 record, before the league was shut down by COVID.
When the XFL returned in 2023, Jonathan was lured back to be offensive coordinator by his old coach… Bob Stoops and the Renegades.
After winning the XFL Championship he opted to return to Ohio and is currently an Athletic Director at the HS level.
NOTES:
I’m pretty sure that Jonathan walked right past me after the XFL Championship Game and I didn’t initially recognize him. Later I took a shot on Jonathan TTM, and it paid off, as not only did he sign my cards, he also drew up a play for me!
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
153
1718
11.2
7
49
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
