Bentley still has impact

Although unable to play for Cleveland he is greatly involved in the community.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Even without snapping a football or making a block, LeCharles Bentley is making an impact for the Browns.
The former Pro Bowl center, who had his first NFL season in Cleveland ended by a serious knee injury in training camp, donated 100,000 for a scholarship named in his mother's honor at St. Ignatius High School, his alma mater, Wednesday.
It was just the latest charitable act by Bentley, who signed a 36 million free agent contract in March with Cleveland, the biggest acquisition by the struggling franchise since 1999.
Provided meals
Last month, he provided Thanksgiving dinners for 500 needy area residents. In May, Bentley paid for the funerals of five children killed in a house fire. He is also furnishing the home and paying one year's rent for a local woman whose 3-year-old child was abused.
On a lighter note, Bentley is picking up the tab for two fans to attend Ohio State's Jan. 8 national championship game in Arizona. He plans to do more.
"It always feels good to make other people feel good," he said. "I'm just happy to be able to do something right now."
Bentley's football future remains cloudy. He tore his right patellar tendon on the first full-contact play of training camp in July and underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He subsequently suffered a staph infection -- one of four Browns players stricken with the virulent bacteria in the past two years -- and spent several weeks in the hospital.
Bentley, who is still receiving antibiotics, reportedly underwent a second operation on his tendon, compromising his chances of playing in 2007.
However, the 27-year-old declined to clarify his status.
"I can't really talk about that," he said. "A lot of people are speculating about a lot of different things. There are so many other important things going on in the world. I'm getting better. We'll see what happens."
Will he play again?
"Why wouldn't I?" he said.
Browns general manager Phil Savage said the club will update Bentley's situation in late January or February.
Humbling experience
Bentley called the months he has been sidelined "a humbling experience." However, the time away has given him a chance to reflect on all his blessings and allowed him to help those less fortunate.
His endowment at St. Ignatius will fund scholarships for four students each year. He began the program as a tribute to his mother, Verneda, whom he introduced during halftime of a basketball game.
"She's been an inspiration my entire life," he said.
Not being able to help the Browns has been frustrating for Bentley, one of 11 players the team has had to place on injured reserve this season. But Bentley sees his injury as a chance to have a greater effect in Cleveland -- now and in the future.
"You kind of come to terms with your own mortality as a professional athlete," he said. "When you're young you think that it will never end. But then you come to the realization that, you know what, one day this is not going to be around, it's not going to last forever.
Prepares mentally
"So you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically to make that transition for whatever it is you are going to do in life."
For Bentley, who spent four seasons with New Orleans before coming home, seeing the Browns go through another losing season has been difficult.
"It's been difficult knowing that I'm a part of that family and that tradition and I can't help and do what I do," he said. "Maybe I could have helped. Maybe not. But at least I would have been there going through it with them as opposed to being on the outside."
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