Larry Benz
{{Short description|American football player (born 1941)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image =
| caption =
| position = Safety
| number = 23
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|1|28}}
| birth_place = Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
| death_date =
| draftyear =
| draftround =
| draftpick =
| undraftedyear = 1963
| high_school = Cleveland Heights (OH)
| college = Northwestern
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Browns (1963–1965)
| statlabel1 = Games played - started
| statvalue1 = 41 - 14
| statlabel2 = Interceptions
| statvalue2 = 16
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 2
| pfr = BenzLa20
| cfl =
| afl =
| highlights =
| HOF =
| CollegeHOF =
}}
Larry Walker Benz (born January 28, 1941) is an American former professional football safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.
Early life
Benz attended Cleveland Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he earned eight letters in football, baseball, basketball, and track.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-journal/148960630/|title=Rookie Larry Benz 'Johnny on the Spot' for Browns|work=The Jersey Journal|date=November 6, 1963|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=12|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal/148963796/|title=Benz Eyes Season With Mixed Views|first=D.L.|last=Stewart|work=Mansfield News Journal|date=March 27, 1966|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=34|via=Newspapers.com}}
College career
Benz played college football at Northwestern, primarily as a running back, but also as a safety and occasionally as a quarterback.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer/148955749/|title=Heights' Benz Will Lead Northwestern's Offense|first=John|last=Dietrich|work=The Plain Dealer|date=September 13, 1962|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=40|via=Newspapers.com}} As a junior in 1961, he threw two touchdown passes to lead the Wildcats to a 12–10 victory over Notre Dame.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press/148956457/|title=NU Halfback's Only 2 Aerials Score; Beat Notre Dame, 12-10|work=The Star Press|date=October 29, 1961|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} Benz was an honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior. He graduated with a degree in geography and history.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/148975806/|title=Football not his game of life|first=Jason|last=Butler|work=Akron Beacon Journal|date=August 20, 1999|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=48|via=Newspapers.com}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-reporter/148961995/|title=Larry Benz Likes To Take Chances|work=The Daily Reporter|date=November 11, 1964|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=17|via=Newspapers.com}} As a rookie, Benz tied for the team lead for interceptions with seven. In 1964, he recorded four interceptions and helped the Browns defeat the Baltimore Colts in the NFL Championship Game.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/148962875/|title=Browns Beat Colts For Title|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 3, 1965|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=92|via=Newspapers.com}} In his third season with the team, he led the team with five interceptions.
In February 1966, Benz was one of three Browns players selected by the newly created Atlanta Falcons in the 1966 NFL expansion draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/148963510/|title=Benz Looks To Atlanta And Future|first=Allen|last=Hauck|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=February 17, 1966|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=47|via=Newspapers.com}} However, he quit the team suddenly in July.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/148969316/|title=Benz 'Steals' Away, Says Not Single Word|first=Al|last=Thomy|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=July 13, 1966|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=40|via=Newspapers.com}}
Personal life
Benz is of German descent and has two older brothers named Tom and Dick.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer/148961183/|title=Browns Start Benz at Half|first=Charles|last=Heaton|work=The Plain Dealer|date=August 6, 1963|access-date=June 8, 2024|page=23|via=Newspapers.com}} He and his wife Dalia lived in Euclid, Ohio, during his time on the Browns. After his playing career, Benz started his own construction business.
References
{{reflist}}
{{1964 Cleveland Browns |state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benz, Larry}}
Category:Players of American football from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Category:American football safeties
Category:Northwestern Wildcats football players
Category:Cleveland Browns players