LeCharles Bentley
Encyclopedia
LeCharles Vernon Bentley (born November 7, 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio
) is a retired American football
center
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Ohio State
.
A two-time Pro Bowl
selection with the Saints, Bentley was also a member of the Cleveland Browns
. He retired following the 2008 season after failing to recover from a torn patellar tendon suffered with the Browns in 2006.
at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He was a two year starter and was a three year letterman, earning All-Ohio honors as a senior (1997).
for the Ohio State
Buckeyes
, first for head coach
John Cooper
, then for Jim Tressel
his senior year. He was a four year letterman. Bentley won the 2001 Rimington Trophy
as college football's best center and also was named as an AFCA consensus All-American. He was a human development and family science major.
by the New Orleans Saints
and was signed to a four year deal worth $2.95 million. He excelled at the guard
position and started in 14 games. He was named Sports Illustrated
's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team. He made his NFL debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
on September 8.
Bentley started in 13 games and earned a spot in the 2003 Pro Bowl
.
In the 2004 season
he moved back to his original center position and started in all 16 games, he went on to be voted as an alternate to the 2004 Pro Bowl at that position.
Bentley started 14 games at center in 2005 and was voted to the Pro Bowl again. He left the Saints saying he would rather sit out the season than play with them again.
, Bentley signed with the Cleveland Browns
in 2006, and was regarded by ESPN
as the top-rated free agent
.
Bentley suffered a serious knee injury in training camp on July 27, 2006, during the first play on the first 11 on 11 training camp session. He tore his patellar tendon, an injury that kept him out for the entire 2006 season
. Bentley revealed that he had undergone four operations since getting hurt, the final two to clean out a staph infection that ate away at his tendon and a virus
that became so severe that doctors considered amputating
his leg.
On July 23, 2007, ESPN reported that Bentley had been cleared to play by his physician and would be reporting to training camp. Bentley said that his knee was about '70 percent' and thought it would be 90 percent when the season started. Bentley started the season on the physically unable to play list.
In December, the Browns shortened Bentley's $36 million contract from six years to three, with 2008 set to be his last year under contract with the Browns. His salary was reduced to the NFL minimum $605,000 with incentives to reach $4 million.
On June 10, 2008, The Plain Dealer reported that Bentley had rejoined his team on the practice field after passing his physical and being cleared to practice with the team. "I feel really blessed," Bentley said after partaking in his first Browns practice in 682 days. "The Lord's been really good to me. There's nothing more I can ask for." On June 11, LeCharles Bentley's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, reported that Bentley asked for and was granted his release from the Cleveland Browns.
After spending the 2008 season out of football, Bentley announced in January 2009 that he was no longer attempting to return to the NFL, and is currently starting a career in Cleveland media. He co-hosted a nightly program on WKNR
AM 850 from 2009-2011.
On July 22, 2010 ESPN.com reported that LeCharles Bentley was suing the Cleveland Browns for having him rehab in training facilities where other members of the Cleveland Browns had gotten staph infections. The staph infection did not allow his left patella tendon to heal. Bentley is reportedly suing for at least $25,000.
fund named in honor of his mother, Verneda. In May 2007, it was revealed that Bentley's mother has been accused of using money intended for the education of poor children to buy herself furniture. Federal agents are also investigating Verneda Bentley for a fire that caused more than $1 million in damage at the nonprofit she runs.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
) is a retired American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
.
A two-time Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection with the Saints, Bentley was also a member of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He retired following the 2008 season after failing to recover from a torn patellar tendon suffered with the Browns in 2006.
Early years
Bentley played high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He was a two year starter and was a three year letterman, earning All-Ohio honors as a senior (1997).
College career
Bentley played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
, first for head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
John Cooper
John Cooper (coach)
John Cooper is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Tulsa , Arizona State University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career record of 192–84–6...
, then for Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
his senior year. He was a four year letterman. Bentley won the 2001 Rimington Trophy
Dave Rimington Trophy
The Dave Rimington Trophy is awarded to the player considered to be the best center in college football. Dave Rimington was a center who played at the University of Nebraska from 1979-1982....
as college football's best center and also was named as an AFCA consensus All-American. He was a human development and family science major.
New Orleans Saints
Bentley was drafted in the second round (44th overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
by the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
and was signed to a four year deal worth $2.95 million. He excelled at the guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
position and started in 14 games. He was named Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team. He made his NFL debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
on September 8.
Bentley started in 13 games and earned a spot in the 2003 Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
.
In the 2004 season
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
he moved back to his original center position and started in all 16 games, he went on to be voted as an alternate to the 2004 Pro Bowl at that position.
Bentley started 14 games at center in 2005 and was voted to the Pro Bowl again. He left the Saints saying he would rather sit out the season than play with them again.
Cleveland Browns
After backing out of an unofficial agreement with the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Bentley signed with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 2006, and was regarded by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
as the top-rated free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Bentley suffered a serious knee injury in training camp on July 27, 2006, during the first play on the first 11 on 11 training camp session. He tore his patellar tendon, an injury that kept him out for the entire 2006 season
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
. Bentley revealed that he had undergone four operations since getting hurt, the final two to clean out a staph infection that ate away at his tendon and a virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
that became so severe that doctors considered amputating
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
his leg.
On July 23, 2007, ESPN reported that Bentley had been cleared to play by his physician and would be reporting to training camp. Bentley said that his knee was about '70 percent' and thought it would be 90 percent when the season started. Bentley started the season on the physically unable to play list.
In December, the Browns shortened Bentley's $36 million contract from six years to three, with 2008 set to be his last year under contract with the Browns. His salary was reduced to the NFL minimum $605,000 with incentives to reach $4 million.
On June 10, 2008, The Plain Dealer reported that Bentley had rejoined his team on the practice field after passing his physical and being cleared to practice with the team. "I feel really blessed," Bentley said after partaking in his first Browns practice in 682 days. "The Lord's been really good to me. There's nothing more I can ask for." On June 11, LeCharles Bentley's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, reported that Bentley asked for and was granted his release from the Cleveland Browns.
Retirement
Upon his release, teams such as Buffalo, Cincinnati, Miami, Oakland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Francisco and Seattle expressed varying degrees of interest in Bentley. However, he was not signed to a team for the 2008 season.After spending the 2008 season out of football, Bentley announced in January 2009 that he was no longer attempting to return to the NFL, and is currently starting a career in Cleveland media. He co-hosted a nightly program on WKNR
WKNR
WKNR — branded ESPN 850 WKNR — is a commercial sports radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio. Owned by Good Karma Broadcasting, WKNR is the primary Cleveland affiliate for ESPN Radio; together with sister station WWGK, WKNR is often referred to as ESPN Cleveland.WKNR is the Cleveland affiliate...
AM 850 from 2009-2011.
On July 22, 2010 ESPN.com reported that LeCharles Bentley was suing the Cleveland Browns for having him rehab in training facilities where other members of the Cleveland Browns had gotten staph infections. The staph infection did not allow his left patella tendon to heal. Bentley is reportedly suing for at least $25,000.
Personal
On December 20, 2006, Bentley presented his alma mater, St. Ignatius High School, with a check for $100,000. The money was to be used for a scholarshipScholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
fund named in honor of his mother, Verneda. In May 2007, it was revealed that Bentley's mother has been accused of using money intended for the education of poor children to buy herself furniture. Federal agents are also investigating Verneda Bentley for a fire that caused more than $1 million in damage at the nonprofit she runs.