Michael Bennett doesn’t remember having to hit Martellus in that 2012 game, and hopes he can avoid it again. “It’s always the same feeling — butterflies in your stomach,’’ Michael Bennett said. “You don’t want to knock him down too much.’’ Michael Bennett says that’s how it has always been between him and Martellus, who is younger by about 18 months (Michael Bennett turns 30 in November, Martellus turned 28 in March).

While the typical story of two brothers who ended up becoming professional athletes might feature lots of anecdotes of games and battles fought long into the night, the Bennetts say that was rarely the case. They grew up in Alief, Texas, outside of Houston. When they each played at Texas A&M, coaches often placed them in different groups because they thought they wouldn’t go as hard against each other.

“We’ve never been two of those brothers that are super competitive against each other,’’ Martellus said this week. “We’ve always been on the same team. So I kind of dread lining up against him. But it’s just one of those things that we have to do.’’

The two, in fact, slept in the same bed for a while as kids and have personalities some say seems closer to twins than brothers (Martellus calls himself The Black Unicorn, Michael Bennett Black Santa).

“They are so similar it’s ridiculous,’’ says Avril.

Michael Bennett says their voices and vocal inflections are alike enough that their young children are sometimes confused by which one is speaking when they are together. ....
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Michael Bennett said he figures — and hopes — that Avril will line up over Martellus.

Should strong safety Kam Chancellor play, the job of covering Martellus will often fall to him, making Michael almost wish Chancellor had waited a week to end his holdout.

“I’m like, ‘Damn, Kam. You came back this week?’ ’’ Michael Bennett said.

Said Martellus: “Honestly, I don’t look forward to playing against Michael.”

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