Eno Benjamin's strange game with Arizona Cardinals prompts reaction from Arizona State fans
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Eno Benjamin, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, has had a tough time finding his place on the field.
It was a different story on Sunday as the Cardinals beat the Carolina Panthers 26-16. Benjamin, a product of Arizona State, filled a variety of roles — kick returner, running back and ... kicker.
Benjamin had two kick returns for 43 yards. He had five carries for 36 yards. And when kicker Matt Prater was limited with a hip injury, Benjamin stepped in for a pair of kickoffs. On one of them, he tackled the returner.
After the game, Benjamin said it was the first time since high school he had handled kick off duties. But he said he was, "not very nervous," because he was able to practice it for a few days because Prater’s hip was bothering him.
When told he was the first position player to kick off since Pat Tillman, that caught the Sun Devil's attention.
"Oh really? That’s a very interesting stat right there," he said, "21 years ago. I love to hear that because I think I was the last person from Arizona State drafted to the Cardinals.”
Benjamin was, in fact, the first ASU player drafted by the Cardinals since Tillman. They were both seventh-round picks.
The performance prompted a reaction from Arizona State fans, who have been pulling for their former star for the past two seasons.
For subscribers: Report Card: Cardinals find improvement in win over Panthers
Check out some of the things the media and fans were saying about Benjamin on Sunday.
Add your own thoughts in the comments.
#Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin just kicked off & made the tackle. pic.twitter.com/7vxjISbUj7
— Jason Wolf🌵 (@JasonWolf) October 2, 2022
RB Eno Benjamin handling last two kickoffs
Last Cardinals non kicker to kickoff for Cardinals was Pat Tillman on 12/15/01 at NYG following Bill Gramatica knee injury— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) October 2, 2022
I don't trust anyone who doesn't love Eno Benjamin. College Eno. Pro Eno. Any Eno
— Evan Desai (@EvanKDesai) October 2, 2022
Eno Benjamin kicking off brings me joy and I can’t explain why
— Adriana (@adopadre) October 2, 2022
Eno Benjamin with the kick and the stick!! I see ya.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 2, 2022
Eno Benjamin pinning the offense inside their own 25. What a stud 😂
— Travis (@cynicalAZfan) October 2, 2022
A HUGE FAN OF ENO BENJAMIN. he plays ALL OUT and makes the most out of every play. that’s a guy that NEEDS to be re-signed.. former 7th round pick wow
— Jackson Groff (@JacksonGroff) October 2, 2022
Eno Benjamin kicked off and then also smashed into the return guy. What a guy.#AZvsCAR | #BirdCityFootball #birdgang 🐦 #NFL
— British 🎃 BOOdGang 🎃 (2-2) (@BritishBirdgang) October 2, 2022
ASU Legend Eno Benjamin with a great kick off and tackle.
— Doc Foster (@ReppinThaValley) October 2, 2022
Eno Benjamin made the kickoff and the tackle and I think the Cardinals have officially broken my brain.
— Logan (@logancgreig) October 2, 2022
A productive Eno Benjamin is making this Cardinals game tolerable.
— Ben Haber (@HaberBen) October 2, 2022
Kent Somers: Cardinals finish a bizarre day in Charlotte with a victory, and a functional offense
More: Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Watt makes key plays days after treatment for irregular heartbeat
Analysis: Arizona Cardinals' find rhythm after ugly 1st half in win over Carolina Panthers
Reach the reporter at emily.horos@azcentral.com or 602-444-2426. Follow her on Twitter @ejhoros.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Eno Benjamin's strange game with Cardinals draws reaction from ASU fans
