Happy 41st birthday to former University of Miami safety Bennie Blades. From 1984-1987, Blades was the leader of a Canes secondary known as "Bennie and the Jets"--named after the old Elton John song. Blessed with the size of a linebacker and the speed of a receiver, Blades was a 2-time All American and intercepted 19 passes in his UM career. Blades once intercepted passes in 5 consecutive games. He was a member of UM's 1987 national championship team,
Born Horatio Benedict Blades in Fort Lauderdale, Bennie was a 1984 graduate of Piper High School in Sunrise, where he was a starred in football and track. He came from one of South Florida's most athletic families. His brothers Brian and Al both played at UM and his son H.B. is a rookie NFL linebacker. An outstanding sprinter, Blades was invited to the 1984 U.S. Olympic track and field trials out of high school.
In 1988 he was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions and was the 3rd overall selection. He played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Lions and Seahawks and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1992. During this past summer, Blades was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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