Former Chiefs RB Michael Bennett sentenced to 5 years in prison

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back has been sentenced to five years in prison for burglary and identity theft.

Former NFL running back Michael Bennett was sentenced to five years in a California state prison after pleading no contest to charges of burglary and identity theft.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Bennett was living on the property of his girlfriends’ parents and used that proximity and relationship to break into their home and steal their identities, using that information to take out loans in their name. He was already on probation after being sentenced to 15 months in prison for wire fraud in the state of Florida, cashing fraudulent tax refund checks.

Bennett entered the league in 2001 as the Minnesota Vikings first round pick, a dynamic back who had incredible speed. His sophomore year in the league was by far his best, as he ran 255 times for 1,296 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, including an NFL-leading 85-yard TD run. Unfortunately injuries caught up with him and the Vikings let him go in 2005. The Saints signed him in free agency.

The Chiefs acquired Bennett from the New Orleans Saints in 2006 as Priest Holmes dealt with a neck injury that would keep him out for the entire season, trading a fourth round pick for his services. Bennett ended up spending only a little over a year in K.C., with 17 games total to his credit backing up Larry Johnson. Bennett ran for 252 yards on 56 carries (a 4.1 yards/carry average) with 0 touchdowns to his credit. He caught another 19 passes for 124 yards.

Bennett also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers in his NFL career.