Bennie Blades arrived hitting as the young leader of the Lions’ secondary. What was written in the scouting reports from his career with the Miami Hurricanes that caused the Lions to draft him third overall in 1988 is what he showed on the field for nine seasons.
From opening day of his rookie season, when he had a team-high solo tackles in a 31-17 victory over the Falcons, until his final game as a Lion in 1996, Blades lived up to expectations. He set a standard for intensity and commitment, and he expected it from those around him.