Bennie Blades

Horatio Benedict Blades (born September 3, 1966 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a former American football cornerback and safety in the NFL. 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. He shares the NCAA single season interception record with fell... more

Horatio Benedict Blades (born September 3, 1966 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a former American football cornerback and safety in the NFL. 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. He shares the NCAA single season interception record with fellow Miami Hurricane Sean Taylor. During his play at Miami he and the defensive secondary he led were nicknamed "Bennie and the Jets," for their speed, power, ability & stand-out defensive play. He is also remembered for taunting and intidmidating opposing players. Following his graduation from the University of Miami, Blades entered the 1988 NFL Draft and spent ten 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... less