Where are they now? Former Giant Brad Benson's motor in overdrive

Brad Benson got his first brainchild when the U.S. was threatening to invade Iraq in 2003. Having fun at a dictator's expense, he figured Saddam Hussein might be in need of a getaway car from Benson's New Jersey dealership ... and the first of many zany ads was conceived.

"It's pretty much a cult following, love me or hate me," said Benson, who writes most of his own material. "The first one we did ... Saddam Hussein ... I said we'd give him a car now if he got out of Iraq ... we wouldn't have to go to war ... we'd have peace ... and all these crazy people started calling me up, how dare I make fun of a serious subject.

"We cut two commercials ... one  an apology on the same day. It was all planned. So then I ran the second commercial and it was how dare I give in to this guy? My switchboard operator was going to quit."

Why did Benson go on with the ads?

"I keep doing it because it works," he said. "People love it. It's hard to cut through clutter."

Benson plays no political favorites. He has spoofed everyone from President Bush to Govs. McGreevey and Spitzer. His most recent target was Plaxico Burress, as an example of someone who might be indisposed for 12 months who could take advantage of Benson's 12-month, no payment deal for a new Hyundai or Mitsubishi.

With all his air time on WFAN and Jersey 101.5, Benson is among the most prominent of all his former Giants teammates, not bad for a member of an offensive line nicknamed The Suburbanites for their mundane nature.

Cut by the Patriots at his rookie training camp in 1977, the former Penn State product caught on with the Giants later that year. He was in the huddle for "The Fumble" in 1978 and eventually became a starter at left tackle - and a whipping boy for Bill Parcells.

But Parcells never rode a player he didn't like and in Benson, he had someone who worked hard to overcome his physical limitations. The 1986 season, the year the Giants won the Super Bowl, was his best. He developed a nasty infection on the bridge of his nose and the Band-Aid he wore became a badge of honor. When he dominated All-Pro Dexter Manley in the Giants' showdown with the Redskins that year, it earned him enough notice for a Pro Bowl selection and a spot on the All Madden team.

Benson would play just one more year, purchasing the land for his first dealership during the 1987 season. Now Benson lives on a 40-acre farm in Hillsborough, N.J., with his wife, two sons and daughter.

Benson says he tries to apply a little football philosophy to his business.

"I tell my people we're in a tough situation here. We have to do the real basic fundamental things to survive," he said. "I tell the story that the Friday before the Super Bowl, I was out on the field, taking my pass sets over and over just to feel comfortable for game time."

Benson never stops working ... or looking for good material.

Brad Benson Auto Group News and Articles Home