Blades has eight children: three boys, Horatio (H.B. ), Jaylen, and Tylan, and five girls, Elice, Ashley, Amber, Bianca, and Alyssa. Each of them was an important element of his life and achievement. Horatio (H.B.) also spent five seasons in the NFL. Linda Blades, his wife, has been there for him throughout his post-NFL career. They have two sons together, H.B.'s sons.
Bennie's parents are both from small towns in Mississippi. His father, Charles "Buddy" Blades, played college football at Jackson State University before becoming a car salesman. His mother, Lillie Mae Blades, was a high school teacher who later became a social worker. She died when Bennie was just a boy. He says she taught him how to get along with others by saying, "You can't make everybody happy, so stop trying."
He has four siblings: two brothers, Charles Jr. and William "Bill"; and two sisters, Carolyn and Laura. Bill played basketball at Southern Methodist University while Carolyn worked as a dental assistant and Laura attended university on a full scholarship. None of Bennie's siblings have followed in his footsteps as a football player or a lawyer but several have become teachers like his mom was before her death.
Bennie went to high school in Houston where he met his future wife, Linda Kelly, at a party.
Private life He is the older brother of Bennie and Al Blades, both former NFL cornerbacks. He is also the uncle of H. B. Blades, a former University of Pittsburgh and Washington Redskins linebacker.
Benny Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised by his parents after his father died when he was just eight years old. He started playing football while at Central High School in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating from high school, he went on to play college football at the University of Miami (FL).
During his time at Miami (FL), he met his wife, Carrie Brennan, who was a student at the university. The couple got married in January 1984. They have three children together: two daughters, Brianna and Brittany, and a son, Benjamin "Bennie" Blades III. They still live in Miami, Florida. Benny Jr.'s wife Carrie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005 and passed away in March 2006. She was only 34 years old.
After retiring from football, he became an actor. His first role was that of "Trey Wilson" on the television series Picket Fences from 1992 to 1996. From 1997 to 1999, he played "Detective Taylor" on the television series South Beach.
Horatio Benedict "Bennie" Blades Sr. (born September 3, 1966) is a former National Football League cornerback and safety (NFL). He attended the University of Miami during his collegiate football career. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft.
Blades played for the Bears from 1989 to 1992. In 1993, he started for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent replacement player. He finished with 51 tackles and three interceptions that year. The following season, he started all 16 games for the Jaguars and recorded 59 tackles and two more interceptions. After one season with the Jaguars, he retired from the NFL.
Blades started his professional football career with the Chicago Bears in 1989. He went on to play eight seasons in the NFL and finished with 170 tackles and six interceptions. In 2007, he was selected to the Pro Bowl after recording 55 tackles and two interceptions. In 2008, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and appeared in four games before being released in late August. That same month, he returned to the Bears and was named the team's starting strong safety to replace the injured Chris Harris Jr.. He started 15 games for the Bears in 2009 and 2010 before being released after the 2010 season. After not playing in 2011, he announced his retirement from the NFL in February 2012.
Horatio Benedict "Bennie" Blades Sr. (born September 3, 1966) is a former National Football League cornerback and safety. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame (NFL).
Blades was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft. He played for the Bills for four seasons before being traded to the New York Jets in 1993. After one season with the Jets, he retired from football.
He returned to the NFL in 1997 as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers. He played three seasons with the Chargers before finishing his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. After playing in only two games with the Ravens, he announced his retirement for the second time in his career.
During his career, Blades started 52 of 56 games he appeared in. He finished his NFL career with 51 interceptions and 940 yards after contact while helping his team win a Super Bowl title in 1990.
After retiring for the second time, he became a successful businessman who owned several car dealerships and sports teams including the NBA's Denver Nuggets and WNBA's Denver Wings. In 2014, he was elected into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
Blades remains a celebrity in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, two decades after retiring from the NFL due to back difficulties. As a kid, he was a football and track standout in this town. He went on to play for one of the best college football teams in history, the University of Miami, just down the road. After graduating, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears and spent five seasons with them.
During his time with the Bears, he helped bring home a championship ring after the 1986 season. But injuries had slowed him down by then and, after one more year with Chicago, he retired from the NFL.
Now he spends his time doing interviews and speaking at events about his life and career. He has also opened up a sports management company called BBL Management that helps young players get into the league.
In 2012, Blades was arrested for possession of marijuana after police found several plants in his house. He eventually pleaded guilty and paid a fine. In 2014, he was stopped for driving without a license but wasn't charged.
Overall, it was a successful career for Bennie Blades who was named to the Pro Bowl after his first three seasons. However, injuries began to take their toll and he was never able to regain all of his old form. Now he lives in Miami with his wife and kids and tries to help others through his speeches and appearances.
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