CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – LeCharles Bentley has spent his post NFL career revolutionizing training habits for offensive linemen.
The former Browns and Saints center and Cleveland St. Ignatius High School graduate has now been hired by the NFL.
The league announced Friday that Bentley will serve as a senior advisor of player performance and development and work with NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent Sr.
“I’m honored to be able to use cutting-edge research and data to assist leadership at the NFL in player protection and risk reduction throughout all levels of football.” Bentley said. “Under the leadership of Roger Goodell and Troy Vincent, along with head coaches around the NFL, we are committed to growing and enhancing the game of football all over the world.”
Bentley was selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints where he made the Pro Bowl twice in four seasons before signing as a free agent with his hometown Browns in 2006.
Bentley suffered a torn patellar tendon without contact early in training camp. He underwent four surgeries, including two to clean out a staph infection he contracted while rehabbing at the team facility which ultimately ended his career.
Bentley, who owns certifications in strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, Functional Movement Screening, Olympic weightlifting, and Fascial Stretch Therapy, founded the world’s first training center for offensive line development in 2009.
Bentley is also the founder of LB Design Equipment and holds multiple patents on tools created specifically for developing offensive line athletes.
“The game of football continues to evolve by applying science, technology, and rules in its ongoing effort to advance player protection and remove unnecessary risk from the game,” Vincent said. “LeCharles Bentley is a world-class thought leader in analyzing the metrics and developing improved playing techniques.”
Bentley’s role will be expansive and also include work with the league’s high school and youth football initiatives.
