Martellus Bennett is the world's most interesting Unicorn

If all Bennett did was play tight end, he would be well liked in his new hometown. But he is also -- as the rapt fans at Buffalo Wild Wings and other
Martellus Bennett is the world's most interesting Unicorn
Martellus Bennett is the world's most interesting Unicorn /

Martellus Bennett is on pace to catch more passes this season than any Bears tight end since Mike Ditka.
Martellus Bennett is on pace to catch more passes this season than any Bears tight end since Mike Ditka :: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

If all Bennett did was play tight end, he would be well liked in his new hometown. But he is also -- as the rapt fans at Buffalo Wild Wings and other listeners across Chicagoland could have told you -- one of the most unusual people who has ever earned a living playing football. This has made him beloved even in a league in which it can be tricky to have a personality at all. The 26-year-old Bennett, who goes by the nickname Black Unicorn, is proof that you can be two things at once: a pro football player and yourself.

Chicago's tight end isn't shy about expressing himself, whether he's talking, writing, drawing or expanding his ever-growing trove of body art.
Chicago's tight end isn't shy about expressing himself, whether he's talking, writing, drawing or expanding his ever-growing trove of body art :: Elizabeth Lavin/SI/SI

If there can be no other Martellus Bennett, we might still learn a few things from his example. That you can be a big weirdo and also a successful NFL player. And that you can be a successful NFL player, or anything really, and still dream of being something more.


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Ben Reiter
BEN REITER

Ben Reiter is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and for SI.com who has been with the magazine since 2004.