CFL is Next Destination for BlueCats Sean Bennett
May 17, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: Evansville native and BlueCats standout wide receiver Sean Bennett has been called to continue his career in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Seven games into his third season with the BlueCats, Bennett is returning to the CFL, but this time with a new look. After spending the last two seasons with the Ottawa Renegades, Bennett will now play for with the Toronto Argonauts. Searching for new ownership, the Renegades were forced to cancel their 2006 season, leaving many players looking for a new home. Toronto selected Bennett in the 5th round of the Player Disbursal Draft, where he plans to continue his professional football career.
In only seven games this season with the BlueCats, Sean is having another outstanding season. He leads the team with 29 receptions and 422 receiving yards which ranks him among the league leaders. He currently ranks 3rd in the league in receiving yards, 5th in yards per catch (14.55 yds/rec.), and 8th in total receptions.
BlueCats Head Coach John Hart said, "One of the many great things about Sean is that he is 100% professional at all times. He's professional in his preparation, his work ethic, his playing performance, and in his attitude. He's a veteran presence and a top performer on this football team and we wish him the best of luck up in Canada this summer."
In three partial seasons with the BlueCats (2004-2006), Bennett has rushed for 45 yards and 13 touchdowns in mostly goal line situations, while hauling in 54 passes for 770 yards and 11 touchdowns. The versatile and explosive Bennett also played defense and special teams for the BlueCats compiling 16.5 tackles and one interception during his BlueCats career. Sean's success with the BlueCats leaves him tied for 4th overall in career points (24 touchdowns, 2 PAT conversions), 4th in career rushing touchdowns (13) and 5th in career receiving touchdowns (11).
Bennett had one of the finest performances of his BlueCats career in Week 3 of the 2005 season where he scored five touchdowns in a 57-52 win over the Lexington Horsemen, earning him UIF Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Sean is no stranger to professional football having been drafted by the NFL's New York Giants in 1999. During his rookie season with the Giants, Bennett battled a knee injury, but was still able to play in nine games, starting three, with 29 rushes for 126 yards. Unfortunately, in 2000, Sean suffered another knee injury that required surgery and ultimately led to him being cut by the Giants in 2001. A tough and resilient Bennett rehabilitated from his knee injury and was resigned by the Giants in 2002 and was used primarily as a 3rd down back and on special teams, gaining 57 yards on five catches in seven games. In 2003, Sean signed with the New York Jets and played with the team during the pre-season, but was released before the start of the regular season.
Prior to entering the professional football ranks, Sean excelled on the football field and in the classroom. Bennett graduated from Evansville's Harrison High School, where he was a standout running back and the valedictorian of his graduating class. He played football for the University of Evansville where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors. In the spring of 1998, UE dropped their football program, leaving Sean with a year of eligibility remaining and over 20 scholarship offers. He chose to continue his college career at Northwestern University where he played both fullback and tailback.
The Evansville BlueCats would like to thank Sean Bennett for his contributions over the past three seasons and wish him the best of luck as he reports to CFL training camp and continue his career with the Toronto Argonauts.
The BlueCats (2-5) will continue their season as they travel to Fort Wayne to take on the Freedom (3-5) on Saturday, May 20th, at 6:30pm (Evansville time) before returning to Roberts Stadium for a stretch of home games beginning with the Ohio Valley Greyhounds on May 25th. For more information on the Evansville BlueCats, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
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