Larry Benz
| No. 23 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Safety | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | January 28, 1941 Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Cleveland Heights (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) | ||||||
| College | Northwestern | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1963: undrafted | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
| |||||||
Larry Walker Benz (born January 28, 1941) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.
Early life
[edit]Benz attended Cleveland Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he earned eight letters in football, baseball, basketball, and track.[1][2]
College career
[edit]Benz played college football at Northwestern University, primarily as a running back, but also as a safety and occasionally as a quarterback.[3] As a junior in 1961, he threw two touchdown passes to lead the Wildcats to a 12–10 victory over Notre Dame.[3][4] Benz was an honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior.[2] He graduated with a degree in geography and history.[5]
Professional career
[edit]After going unselected in the 1963 NFL draft, Benz was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent and became a regular member of their defensive unit as a safety after the accidental death of Don Fleming in the offseason.[1][6] As a rookie, Benz tied for the team lead for interceptions with seven.[6] In 1964, he recorded four interceptions and helped the Browns defeat the Baltimore Colts in the NFL Championship Game.[5][7] In his third season with the team, he led the team with five interceptions.[5]
In February 1966, Benz was one of three Browns players selected by the newly created Atlanta Falcons in the 1966 NFL expansion draft.[8] However, he quit the team suddenly in July.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Benz is of German descent and has two older brothers named Tom and Dick.[10] He and his wife Dalia lived in Euclid, Ohio, during his time on the Browns.[2] After his playing career, Benz started his own construction business.[5]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Rookie Larry Benz 'Johnny on the Spot' for Browns". The Jersey Journal. November 6, 1963. p. 12. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 Stewart, D.L. (March 27, 1966). "Benz Eyes Season With Mixed Views". Mansfield News Journal. p. 34. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Dietrich, John (September 13, 1962). "Heights' Benz Will Lead Northwestern's Offense". The Plain Dealer. p. 40. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "NU Halfback's Only 2 Aerials Score; Beat Notre Dame, 12-10". The Star Press. October 29, 1961. p. 19. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 Butler, Jason (August 20, 1999). "Football not his game of life". Akron Beacon Journal. p. 48. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Larry Benz Likes To Take Chances". The Daily Reporter. November 11, 1964. p. 17. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Browns Beat Colts For Title". The Baltimore Sun. January 3, 1965. p. 92. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Hauck, Allen (February 17, 1966). "Benz Looks To Atlanta And Future". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 47. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Thomy, Al (July 13, 1966). "Benz 'Steals' Away, Says Not Single Word". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 40. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Heaton, Charles (August 6, 1963). "Browns Start Benz at Half". The Plain Dealer. p. 23. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.