Competitive. That might be the best word to describe the relationship between brothers Michael and Martellus Bennett. While growing up together, Michael and Martellus thrived on competition, against others and each other.
“We used to play against each other in every sport,” said Michael, an Aggie defensive end. “I think that’s why were so competitive to this day. It’s because we’ve always wanted to make the other one better in whatever sport.”
Pushing each other to the farthest limits has seemed to work, as both brothers find themselves playing together at the same school again.
“It’s a true blessing to be playing with my brother again,” Michael said. “We’re best friends, plus we’ve always been close. We tell each other everything, set goals together before the season starts, and just do about everything together when we’re not in class.”
Going to the same school was not in the cards originally for the brothers. Michael, who had originally signed with Louisiana Tech straight out of high school, was ready to go before deciding that Tech was not for him. In the end, Michael ended up with his younger brother Martellus at A&M.
The friendship between the two started at a young age when both played pee-wee football on the same team in Houston and has flourished into a relationship built on trust and tough love. The two brothers push each other on a daily basis to work harder in the classroom and on the field by setting goals for eachother before the upcoming season.
“I want Michael to get 10 sacks this year, a couple of quarterback hurries and maybe an interception,” said Martellus, an A&M tight end. “(Michael) wants me to get 60 or more catches and maybe five or more touchdown receptions.”
While the two brothers may be close, that does not stop them from pulling pranks on one another on a weekly basis.
“Just yesterday we were coming out of dinner when I saw Martellus over in Jason Jack’s truck,” Michael said. “I had an ice cream cone in my hand and decided to throw it right through the car window where it hit Martellus in the chest. He didn’t know it was me until he turned around and saw me there laughing at him.”
Pranks aren’t the only way Michael and Martellus try to one-up each other. Amongst other things, both brothers have a huge love for sports video games – especially John Madden Football. Michael claims to own bragging rights not only in Madden, but in every other game.
“I can beat him in every game,” Michael said. “We play Madden a lot and I always beat him, well I usually beat him in every other game as well.”
The competitive juices between Michael and Martellus cannot be seen only in the living room on a big screen television, but on the tennis court and the baseball diamond, where each claims he is the superior athlete.
“I would have to say I’m the better athlete,” Michael said. “I just can’t say nobody is a better athlete than me. I beat him in baseball and a lot of other sports too.”
Martellus, who was a member of the 2005-06 A&M Basketball team, claimed out of five games to 10 points, Michael couldn’t win one game. Michael seemed to think differently about it.
“I could win two games,” Michael said. “Definitely two games. He’s a good player, but I know I can hang with him on the court. We play all the time, so I know I’m a pretty good player compared to him. I know I can also beat him in baseball too.”
Martellus, after hearing what his brother had to say, shot back that he was the better athlete and that he was the best looking brother.
“I’ll beat him in sprinting, soccer, hockey, tennis. I can kill him in tennis,” Martellus said. “I’m the best looking, the best dressed, the funniest, I got more girls than him. I’m just better than him. (Michael) is good, but I’m great.”
The friendly banter between brothers is what makes Michael and Martellus so unique. From the high school field at Alief-Taylor High School to the living room where both brothers square off in video game competition, Michael and Martellus share a bond – a bond that may allow them to play on Sunday in the NFL together.
“We’ve been through it all, just the two of us,” Michael said. “We’ve been really blessed to always have the other around for support. We’ve played football at every level together, so I think it would be cool to get the chance to both be on the same team at the highest level.”