Larry Benz

Last updated

Larry Benz
No. 23
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1941-01-28) January 28, 1941 (age 83)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Career information
High school: Cleveland Heights (OH)
College: Northwestern
Undrafted: 1963
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played - started:41 - 14
Interceptions:16
Fumble recoveries:2
Player stats at PFR

Larry Walker Benz (born January 28, 1941) is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played three seasons for the Cleveland Browns.

Contents

Early life

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

Benz played college football at Northwestern, 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

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

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]

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References

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. 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.
  6. 1 2 "Larry Benz Likes To Take Chances". The Daily Reporter. November 11, 1964. p. 17. Retrieved June 8, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Browns Beat Colts For Title". The Baltimore Sun . January 3, 1965. p. 92. Retrieved June 8, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Hauck, Allen (February 17, 1966). "Benz Looks To Atlanta And Future". The Atlanta Constitution . p. 47. Retrieved June 8, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Thomy, Al (July 13, 1966). "Benz 'Steals' Away, Says Not Single Word". The Atlanta Constitution . p. 40. Retrieved June 8, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Heaton, Charles (August 6, 1963). "Browns Start Benz at Half". The Plain Dealer . p. 23. Retrieved June 8, 2024– via Newspapers.com.


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