EYE ON …
LANCE BENNETT, JR., KR, INDIANA
Background: The nation’s second-leading kick returner is known more for his ability as a songwriter. Bennett and his two brothers, Lamar and Lennie, co-wrote the big hit off the “Men in Black II” soundtrack, “Black Suits Comin’ (Nod Ya Head)” and another top 10 hit called “Switch.” Sung by actor Will Smith, the album went platinum worldwide and has sold more than 500,000 copies in the U.S. He and his brothers also wrote the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl theme song and Lance Bennett just finished “Knock-Knock,” a motivational song he hopes propels the 3-0 Hoosiers to their first bowl game since 1993. “Lamar got both of us involved,” Lance said. “He had a little assignment in seventh or eighth grade. He wrote a rap and he won.” Raised in the tough East New York section of Brooklyn, Bennett turned down Division I-A scholarship offers to Minnesota and Northwestern to work on his writing career. “Good enough for a teenager,” he said. “But I was blowing good money, too. I learned a lesson.” Two and a half years after graduating, his high school coach at Poly Prep High, Dino Mangiero, became director of Indiana’s football operations in 2002. Three Poly Prep teammates went with him and Bennett said, “It’s time to come out of retirement.”
Stat line: Despite being 5-foot-6, 165 pounds, Bennett is second nationally in kickoff returns at 44 yards per return behind Texas Christian’s Cory Rodgers’ 45.7.
What’s up: Bennett has carved a niche in the rap world, using Christian lyrics, but he refuses to call himself a Christian rap artist. “I’m a rap artist who’s a Christian,” he said. “I don’t want to put a label on me. I’m not a Christian kick returner. I’m a kick returner who’s a Christian.”
What’s next: Enrolled in the telecommunications school instead of Indiana’s superb music program (“Music majors are more instrumental,” he said), he wants to put out his own albums with his two brothers and own the labels with his own record company.
Henderson’s take: The few real “student-athletes” use a career as a safety net if an NFL career doesn’t work out. Bennett is one of the refreshing athletes who could use the NFL as a safety net if his music career doesn’t work out.
