Education
He attended California State University Northridge, where was an All-World Food Council linebacker, and distinguished himself as the star of the Sigma Alpha Mu intramural national championship team
He attended California State University Northridge, where was an All-World Food Council linebacker, and distinguished himself as the star of the Sigma Alpha Mu intramural national championship team
He also was a backup at linebacker and defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers in 1996. As a youngster growing up in Southern California, he surfed at Newport and Zuma north of Los Los Angeles Benefield was signed by Edmonton as a free agent in November
1990.
The Eskimos released him in July 1991, and he signed with the Los Angeles Wings of the Arena Football League in April 1992. He was signed as a free agent by the Canadian Football League"s Ottawa Rough Riders in June 1992. Benefield began his Canadian Football League career with the Ottawa Rough Riders as an outside linebacker.
He became a starting linebacker in 1992 during his rookie season.
In his first Canadian Football League game on August 19, 1992, Benefield recorded two quarterback sacks, two tackles for losses and seven tackles total, earning player-of-the-game honors. In 1994, he was named a Canadian Football League East Division All-Star, with 38 tackles and nine sacks.
In March 1995, Benefield signed as a free agent with the British Columbia Lions, where Dave Ritchie, who served as defensive coordinator for the Rough Riders during Benefield"s rookie season had become head coach. The deal was a two-year contract, reportedly for a $10,000 raise over his 1994 salary of $55,000.
In 1995, Benefield tied a Canadian Football League record with five sacks in a game against the Birmingham Barracudas.
In April 1996, Benefield signed with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He impressed the 49ers early on in pre-season games, with excellent coverage on special teams. He was also a nickel defensive end on passing downs.
In 1997, when Benefield returned to the Canadian Football League, there was a bidding war for his services between several teams.
He eventually returned to the British Columbia Lions.