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Cornelius Bennett is one of the greatest players in Alabama’s rich football history.
Bennett, who played his high school football at Ensley High School in Birmingham, Ala., starred for the Crimson Tide from 1983-86.
On Tuesday, Bennett was named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021. Of the 25 players named semifinalists, Bennett is one of four that has previously been eligible but not made the semifinals.
During his time at Alabama, Bennett was a three-time first-team All-American, three-time All-SEC performer, and in 1986 won the Lombardi Award and SEC player of the year.
Bennett was drafted No. 2 overall in the 1987 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, where he never played a game. Bennett was traded to the Buffalo Bills after he couldn’t agree to terms with the Colts in the 1987 season,
Bennett would spend 14 years in the NFL, but it was his nine years with the Bills where he would be known as one of the better defenders in the NFL.
He was an instrumental part of those four Buffalo Super Bowl teams and three times was named a first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection, and two-time AFC defensive player of the year.
Bennett would spend three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and his final two years with the team that drafted him — the Indianapolis Colts.
In his 14-year career, Bennett played in 206 games, tallying 1,190 tackles, 31 forced fumbles, 27 fumble recoveries and 12 interceptions.
He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, and in 2005, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.