When asked what he would buy with his first NFL paycheck, Earl Bennett did not hesitate.

"My mom a house," he said.

The answer reaffirmed what we already knew - that, as talented a player as Bennett is, he's an even better person. For No. 10, it was never about the records. In fact, those seemed to matter more to us than to him. After games, Bennett used to say he would trade all of his catches in for a bowl berth. And he meant it.

Looking back at his remarkable career, so many games stand out.
We saw him break out against Richmond on Family Weekend in 2005. He never looked back.

We saw him torch Florida in "The Swamp" and unfairly get called for an excessive celebration penalty, which was ironic considering his modesty, and then again in 2006, when he made two defenders knock heads.

We saw him make The Catch on a slant over the middle to give the Commodores their first victory over Tennessee since 1982. Bennett said that game was his favorite.

This season, we saw Bennett earn first-team All-SEC honors, despite constant double teams and erratic quarterback play. And we saw him play through pain most of us have never felt.

Players like Bennett do not come around often, and while selfish Commodore fans and players would have liked to see him return for his final season, we both understand and support his decision.

To the NFL team that drafts Bennett, you will not regret it. You are not only getting a great route-runner with exceptional hands and fearless attitude, but over 6,000 new fans.

"Hopefully people will remember me by my character and not my outstanding ability on the football field," Bennett said Thursday.

How about we do both?