Donnell Bennett Jr.

Athlete Class of 1990

Inducted 2005

Coach Don Marino felt that Donnell was “the perfect athlete to have for a one-back offense, and defensively the inside linebacker to cover from tackle to tackle.” Obviously, Donnell didn’t sit much during any football game. Donnell was one of Gibbons’ premier athletes, and a standout in football, wrestling, basketball, and track for his years here. He was a state champion runner-up wrestler. Donnell was a First Team All County selection in both The Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel in football and wrestling. He was selected to the All-American team in football and led Gibbons to a 9-1 record. Courted by 75 colleges, Donnell went on to play his college career for the Hurricanes at the University of Miami, where he started 2 years at fullback. His stats include 258 carries, 1,075 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. His career there is highlighted by a national championship in 1991. In 1994 Donnell was drafted in the 2nd round by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he led the team in rushing in both 1998 and 1999. In 2001 Donnell moved to the NFC and played for the Washington Redskins. As a “Redskin” for the second time in his athletic career, he paved the way for Steven Davis to have a 1,000 yard season, by being a solid run-blocking back.

An asthma sufferer himself, Donnell was active in both the Kansas City and Virginia community through his Clearing the Way Asthma Foundation which he is in the process of bringing here to Florida. Besides working with numerous charities and community service, Donnell is married and has 3 sons, Matthew, Donnell III, and Coleman Taylor.