ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) 鈥� Amid the violence and overdoses Christian Benford encountered, and countless funerals he attended growing up near one of Baltimore鈥檚 toughest neighborhoods, the Buffalo Bills cornerback preferred focusing on two fond childhood memories upon signing what he called a life-changing contract.
The recollections involved dandelions and a Power Rangers watch.
Both sprung to mind Wednesday at a time the 24-year-old further cemented one lifelong dream of an NFL career 鈥� secures his future in Buffalo through 2029. And he's eagerly looking ahead to achieving another with the upcoming release of a children鈥檚 book he wrote.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 them little flowers you pick up and make a wish and blow on it?鈥� Benford said, searching for the word dandelion. 鈥淵eah. Like my sisters would say, 鈥橫ake a wish.' And I always wished to make it to the NFL and change my family.鈥�
In three seasons, Benford has made the jump from relative obscurity as a sixth-round draft pick out of Villanova to establishing himself as Buffalo鈥檚 long-term starter. And he鈥檚 using his higher-profile platform with a 26-page book due out this month.
The story revolves around the main character, Benny the Bobcat, overcoming being teased for how he鈥檚 dressed. Benny, of course, is short for Benford, with the player drawing inspiration from the day he confronted a bully teasing him over his Power Rangers watch.
鈥淚 always believed, be you. It鈥檚 OK to be different,鈥� Benford said. 鈥淪o after that happened, I felt good, like, I鈥檓 still rocking my Power Rangers watch. Can鈥檛 nobody tell me nothing.鈥�
Benny鈥檚 tale is far more watered down than what Benford said he encountered as a child, with the bobcat completing a birthday challenge to deliver what Mynd Matters Publishing describes as 鈥渁n inspiring message about self-expression and kindness.鈥�
And yet, the 鈥渂e true to yourself鈥� message is ideally the same, and one Benford shares with his son.
鈥淕od made you the way you are for a reason. He gave you the name that you got for a reason. He gave you your attributes,鈥� he said. 鈥淏e different and stand 10 toes about it. So that鈥檚 why I wanted to write that book.鈥�
For a player who spent his first three seasons expressing hardly a peep to reporters, Benford has found his voice. And it comes as a result of validating his self-confidence and his determination to get out of Baltimore, and instilled by his beloved late mother, Christel, and father Jewell.
Through various challenges and setbacks, Benford refused to let up.
He shakes his head at the memory of growing up with his siblings and cousins and scrounging through couch cushions to gather enough change to buy a bag of chips to share for dinner.
There鈥檚 the tattoo of a half-empty heart on his right cheek in honor of his mother, who died four years ago, someone who relentlessly pushed Benford to pursue an education through football for a better future.
In Buffalo, Benford established his quiet, determined presence during his 2022 rookie year with five starts in nine games before landing on injured reserve. A year later, Benford won the starting job coming out of training camp ahead of 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who was .
Benford has five interceptions and 25 passes defended while starting 34 of 39 games. And the Bills placed such faith in a player to sign him to the extension with a year still left on his rookie contract.
鈥淚鈥檇 probably tell younger me, all those tears at night, it鈥檚 going to pay off. All that heavy thought, all that worrying for the family, trying to handle everything,鈥� he said, reflecting back.
鈥淎nd everybody that didn鈥檛 believe in you, all the people that backdoored you, it鈥檚 all right, bro. ... just keep your head high. Smile,鈥� Benford said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檇 probably give myself a hug.鈥�
Dandelion wishes do come true. And no one is teasing Christian Benford now.
The book became a family affair, with his sister Jewel providing artwork and input 鈥� she came up with the name Benny. Benford also credited his father, an avid reader, for inspiring his desire to write.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got mad books, like he鈥檒l forget the books he鈥檚 got,鈥� Benford said, realizing his book will now adorn one of his father鈥檚 shelves. 鈥淚t means a lot. I hope he鈥檚 proud.鈥�
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AP NFL:
John Wawrow, The Associated Press
