LeCharles Bentley attended Wednesday night's Greater Cleveland Sports Awards at the Renaissance hotel in support of his old high school football coach, Chuck Kyle of St. Ignatius, who received the lifetime achievement award. Bentley has opened the O-Line Academy in Avon, a training center for offensive linemen that he said is the first of its kind in the country.
A Pro Bowl center who was a prized free agent signing of the Browns in 2006, Bentley hasn't played football since tearing his patella tendon on the first day of training camp that year and needing three additional surgeries for what he said was a life-and-limb threatening staph infection. Bentley asked for his release from the Browns last June and the team complied.
"There's still offers out there, but I'm not entertaining anything right now," Bentley said. "I've lived the NFL dream, better than 90 percent of the guys have ever lived it."
As for playing again, Bentley said, "I play football every day, I've got three boys. That's what I'm doing now."
Bentley appeared in great shape and said he had lost a few pounds since he passed the Browns' conditioning test in minicamp.
LeCharles,
I am glad that I got to finally see you play in person at Jack Murpey Stadium in 2005.
Since your injury in 2006, you have been in our prayers and will continue to be in our prayers.
Best wishes in your future endeavors.
Gilbert Melton
OSU-1970