I know what Michael Bennett did to the man in the wheelchair.

I know what Mike B did to that man in the wheelchair. I was there.

The following is a story you haven’t heard in the news, because well, its not exciting, its not gonna get ratings, and it doesn’t make anyone out to be a terrible person. It does the opposite, while I am not defending Michael Bennett or his actions after Marty won the Super Bowl, it does offer another perspective, and a true yet coincidental example that speaks to the character of Michael Bennett. I do it because I have read and heard things recently said about him that make me sick to my stomach.

My family and I were at the Bennett’s Seattle home a few years ago when I told them a story about my friend who had recently been severely injured and could no longer walk. Mike was very interested in how he and his family were doing, and disappeared into the next room coming back with one of his Jerseys, which he proceeded to sign for my friend.

He also said he would like to meet my friend someday. The next thing I knew Mike was texting me to come pick up tickets to the next home game for my friend and his whole family. Like we often did at the time, we also dropped off my wife’s famous cookies for him to share with his fellow Defensive Linemen and their Coaches. I’m pretty sure my Wife’s the only reason we had become friends with the Bennett family, but lets face it, famous or not I only have friends because of my Wife…

The game happened to be the next time we played against the Pittsburgh Steelers, after they had stolen Super Bowl 40 from us a few years earlier. Since I was still upset about the teams first Super Bowl, I reminded Mike of the game and the circumstances of our loss (he was not on the team at the time). I may have even indicated that Ben Roethlisberger had made some disparaging remarks about Mike’s Mother… During the course of the game and in an incredible sack, Mike hit Ben so hard he  dented Ben’s face mask. This is the stuff a Seahawk fan’s dreams are made of!!!

Mike had given us wristbands to access the family area after the game, so my friend and his whole family got to meet a bunch of their favorite players while waiting for mike to come out of the locker room.

The unintended consequence of that incredibly hard hitting sack, was that Mike tweaked his back, and was unable to come out to visit his guests after the game. While My friend and his family had just been treated to an absolutely amazing experience, that wasn’t good enough for Mike. He wanted to meet my friend and his family, so he brought us all back again for another game, and made sure to meet up after the game. This is what I know of how Mike treats those who are facing adversity, and specifically cannot walk and must use a wheelchair.

 

I have read some truly disgusting things on social media recently. Horrible things being said about and to Michael Bennett. Disgusting. Horrible. Things. As Americans we have become so incredibly divisive it makes me sick. It seems that no one is ever able to consider the perspective of someone else, especially if they are perceived as being in the wrong. The now former Seahawk, Michael Bennett chose a form of protest that offended a lot of people. A. LOT. Then he was traded to the Eagles. Then he was indicted by a Grand Jury in Texas for felony assault of the Elderly (and handicapped) in an incident that occurred over 14 months ago. I wasn’t there, I don’t know what happened. I don’t know who this woman from Texas is, but I feel like I do know Mike, and I was there to see how he treats people.

These charges, along with his political and social ideals, are not good enough reasons to vilify this man. If you are struggling to understand what motivates Mike, or why he chose a form of protest that offends the masses, or you consider him to be a horrible disgusting person, I hope you can find it in yourself to consider another narrative. It’s not just about Michael Bennett and the headlines he is currently garnering, but for anyone and everyone you come into contact with. Consider a different perspective. If you disagree with someone, consider things from theirs, or another perspective. Judge people by what they DO not what has been said about them. We have a saying I use in my business and personal life all the time “Seek first to understand”

Thank you for reading.

 

 

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