Michael Bennett is a former professional American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on November 13, 1985, in Alief, Texas, and grew up in the Houston area with his parents, Michael and Deborah Bennett. He has two older brothers, Martellus and Reshaud, who also played football at a high level.
Bennett attended Alief Taylor High School, where he played football, basketball, and track. He was a standout defensive end on the football team, earning all-district honors as a senior. Despite his success on the field, Bennett did not receive many scholarship offers from Division I colleges due to his small size. He ultimately chose to attend Texas A&M University as a walk-on, where he played for the Aggies from 2005 to 2007.
As a junior at Texas A&M, Bennett earned first-team All-Big 12 honors after recording 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, where he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round.
Bennett made an immediate impact in his rookie season with the Seahawks, recording 4.5 sacks and earning a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team. He continued to improve over the next few seasons, establishing himself as one of the best defensive ends in the league. In 2013, he was named a first-team All-Pro after recording 8.5 sacks and leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory over the Denver Broncos.
In 2017, Bennett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. He played one more season with the Eagles before being released in 2019. He then signed with the Dallas Cowboys, where he played for one season before retiring from the NFL in 2020.
Throughout his career, Bennett was known for his versatility and ability to rush the quarterback, as well as his leadership and work ethic. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts and activism off the field, using his platform to speak out on issues such as social justice and racial inequality.
In conclusion, Michael Bennett is a former professional football player who had a successful career in the NFL and made a significant impact both on and off the field. Despite overcoming challenges and adversity early in his career, he persevered and became one of the best defensive ends in the league. He is remembered not only for his on-field accomplishments, but also for his contributions to his community and commitment to social justice.