Sports Radio Interviews

Cedric Benson Has Battled “Demons” To Revitalize Career

Everyone loves a good success story. Little is more empowering than a tale of great lows that ultimately lead to the highest of highs. Cedric Benson may not have written the final chapter in that tale yet, but he is on his way. A high school star for a three-time state champion squad and one of the more notable programs in the country – Lee High School in Midland Texas (aka “Mojo”), Benson went on to be a standout at the University of Texas where he was able to adequately replace Ricky Williams. An NFL star in the making? Not quite. Drafted fourth overall in the 2005 NFL draft, a lengthy holdout before his rookie season seriously damaged his rapport with the Chicago Bears and his teammates. And then legal trouble struck again. Two arrests for marijuana possession in college were ultimately followed by two alcohol related arrests in the NFL. Just three seasons and 420 (oddly appropriate) carries later, Benson was released by the Bears.

Clearly, Benson fought several demons. Upon his own admission, he had improper focus and hung out with the wrong crowd. His reclamation story began with his personal internal fight and the willingness of the Cincinnati Bengals – always looking for the cheapest talent – to add Benson to its circus. Among the chaos of the multitude of characters and stories in the Bengals’ locker room, Benson found peace and a chance. Since signing with the team before the 2008 season, he has a total of 515 carries for 1,998 yards and eight touchdowns. Last year, he played a big role in taking the Bengals to the playoffs. He’ll try to do even more this season as he hopes to write the best chapter yet in his success story.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson joined Rich and Robert on KILT in Houston to talk about how he turned his career around and fought personal demons to help lead the Bengals to the playoffs, what training camp is like with Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, how similar the movie Friday Night Lights was to his playing days at Midland’s Lee High School and if Reggie Bush should give back his Heisman Trophy.

On how his career has taken off with the Bengals:

“I remember my third season in Chicago didn’t quite go as planned. I think I learned and developed a lot as a professional that year. I was sidelined with a season-ending ankle injury. I was still poised to get out there a pick up where I left off. My last two games with the Bears were good games. I was determined to pick up where I left off. I kind of felt comfortable in finding my role and how to be successful. A lot of things changed from my diet to how I conduct myself on a day-to-day basis. I guess things, unfortunately, happened in the off-season with the Bears and the Bengals picked up on things. It’s hard to describe. A lot of these things have happened personally, internally. Each one of us as an individual has our own demons we have to face. Whether we can turn those around into positives and use them in our lives in a positive way is going to determine our outcome of our lives as individuals. On the field, I took a really big stand in my weight room training, my offseason training, my diet in particular and just my whole outlook on my role and what I am here to do. Instead of focusing so much on so many things that didn’t matter or being friends or just so many things that truly don’t matter. I just focused entirely on myself and what I can contribute to the team and to the organization in a successful and positive way.”

On what camp has been like with Terrell Owens:

“It’s been pretty good. A lot of hard work as usual. But we have had a lot of fan support in regard to Chad (Ochocinco) and TO (Terrell Owens). It helps the organization and it’s a wonderful thing… Many of the guys that are here, who have been here, who have played with this organization for the past four or five years are kind of used to it. They are used to the hype that comes with TO and Chad. Everybody’s handling it pretty well. We’re quite focused in.”

On his memories of playing high school football in Midland’s Lee High School (which is featured in Friday Night Lights):

“What a true, true blessing. What a true joyous experience. When I look back on that stuff, I had the best high school any kid could ever dream. (Host: Is Friday Night Lights accurate?) No. Way more intense. Way more fun.”

On if the Bengals are a Super Bowl contender:

“We are definitely working to get there. I never believe in putting all your eggs in one basket or shoving your foot in your mouth. But I do believe in working to get there. We are honing in on the small things that make a big difference in those seconds in a game or those moments in a game when you look back and say, ‘Gee guys, only if…’”

And on if he thinks Reggie Bush should give back the Heisman:

“He earned it… You still have to give the man the respect. He definitely earned the trophy.”

Listen to Cedric Benson on KILT in Houston with with Rich and Robert.

Tags: AFC North, Cedric Benson, Chad OchoCinco, Cincinnati Bengals, KILT SportsRadio 610, NFL, Terrell Owens, Texas Longhorns