Bennett, Humphrey make debut on 2004 ballot
08/03/03
DOUG SEGREST News staff writer
It's official: The Ray Perkins Era Revisited is in full swing.
Two former Perkins recruits at Alabama, linebacker Cornelius Bennett and running back Bobby Humphrey, make their debut on the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame's 2004 ballot, which will be distributed to 44 electors Monday.
Both are Birmingham natives who signed with Perkins and Alabama out of high school.
Bennett, 35, prepped at Ensley High before earning All-America honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. He capped his Crimson Tide career with the Lombardi Trophy and SEC player of the year honors in 1986.
Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, was named rookie of the year, appeared in five Super Bowls with two teams and played in five Pro Bowls. He was UPI's AFC defensive player of the year in 1991 and holds the Buffalo Bills' record for career fumble recoveries with 16.
Humphrey sold Cokes at Legion Field as a youth and played on a high school team that won just one game his senior season. But he was a two-time All-American at Alabama and a leading Heisman Trophy candidate before an injury prematurely ended his Crimson Tide season as a senior.
Humphrey set the Alabama record for rushing yards in a season (1,471 in 1986) and rushing yards in a career (4,958).
The first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos became the first man to rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie and in back-to-back seasons as a Bronco.
He played in Super Bowl XXIV before injuries shortened his career. Humphrey is now coach of the af2 Birmingham Steeldogs.
Both Bennett and Humphrey played collegiately with quarterback Mike Shula, the Crimson Tide's rookie head coach and another Perkins signee.
Other newcomers to the ASHOF's Class of 2004 ballot include longtime high school and junior college basketball coach Glen Clem, Montgomery native and former major league baseball slugger Oscar Gamble, and Auburn golfing star and coach Virgina Derby Grimes.
"My feeling is there's not a candidate on the ballot who's not worthy of being in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame," executive director Bill Legg said. "It's difficult to get on the ballot."
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