Miami football: 25 greatest Hurricanes of all time
By Joe Romano
25. Bennie Blades
Defensive Back, 1985-1987
Bennie Blades was one of the first big recruits for Schnellenberger out of the “State of Miami”. He was a dominant force in the back-end of an unrelenting defense. Blades would go on to be an All-American in his final two seasons at The U. In 1987 he took home the Jim Thorpe award for the nation’s best defensive back in all of college football. Some of Blades interceptions and subsequent returns are still featured on highlights despite being over 30 years old.
Blades 19 career interceptions is still the record for a Miami Hurricane. He also set records during his time with the Canes for consecutive games with an interception with five and the most tackles by a safety in team history. He is often credited for setting the tone for some other great safeties that would come through and wear the orange and green of Miami.
In 1988 the Detroit Lions selected Blades third overall in the NFL Draft. He would later be traded to play with another former Hurricane, his brother Brian, in Seattle. He would play ten seasons with the Seahawks before retiring from the NFL.
This is a player that was heavily featured in ESPN’s 30 for 30 series “The U” because of his play style and attitude. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as of 2008. A year later, in 2009 , Blades would be inducted to the Hurricanes Ring of Honor where his number 36 can be seen during every Hurricane’s home game.