Martellus Bennett
A larger-than-life tight end who blended bruising play with a wildly creative mind, becoming a champion on the field and a storyteller off it.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American football player·Birthday: March 10·Millennials
Biography
Martellus Bennett was never just a football player. A physical marvel at 6'6", he was a standout at Texas A&M before a ten-year NFL journey that saw him evolve from a raw talent with the Dallas Cowboys into one of the league's most complete tight ends. His peak came with the Chicago Bears, where his receiving skills earned him a Pro Bowl nod, and later with the New England Patriots, where he embraced a gritty, blocking-heavy role to help secure a Super Bowl LI victory. Bennett's identity was defined by what happened outside the lines. He called himself the 'Black Unicorn,' a persona that celebrated his unique interests in design, animation, and storytelling. Upon retiring, he fully embraced this creative life, founding The Imagination Agency and authoring a series of popular, award-winning children's books that champion curiosity and dreaming in color.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Martellus was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Martellus Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Martellus's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots, making key blocks in the historic comeback.
- Earned Pro Bowl honors in 2014 after a career-high 916 receiving yards with the Chicago Bears.
- Founded The Imagination Agency and authored the 'Hey A.J.' children's book series.
Did You Know?
His daughter, Jett, is the inspiration and namesake for the protagonist ('A.J.') in his children's book series.
He interned at an animation studio during an NFL offseason.
His older brother, Michael Bennett, was also a Pro Bowl defensive end in the NFL.
“I'm not a football player who writes children's books. I'm a writer who used to play football.”
