bˈɛntən bɪɡˈæn hɪz ˌɛnˌɛfˈɛl kɚɹˈɪɹ ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd θˈɜːɾi ˈeɪt wɪððə klˈiːvlənd ɹˈæmz, ˈæftɚ bˌiːɪŋ dɹˈæftᵻd nˈʌmbɚɹ ɪlˈɛvən ɪnðə sˈɛkənd ɹˈaʊnd.
Benton began his NFL career in 1938 with the Cleveland Rams, after being drafted number 11 in the second round.