Former NFL player Ben Gay dies at 44

Benjamin Gay, a former National Football League (NFL) player, has died at the age of 44. 

This has been confirmed by multiple reports, including this one from Nirfino.

"Benjamin Stevenson Gay Jr., a beloved footballer from Houston, Texas, tragically passed away on July 29, 2024, in Colorado," the outlet reported.

It appears that Gay's untimely passing was the result of a car accident. Cleveland 19 reports, "A former Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts running back died in a car accident at 44 years old Monday."

Who was Benjamin Gay?

According to the New York Post, Gay was a "standout" football player from Houston, Texas.

Per the outlet:

Gay, born in Houston, was a Texas football standout at Spring High School, earning USA Today All-American honors in 1997. After initially signing on with Baylor to play college football, he eventually suited up for Garden City Community College in Kansas in 1999, rushing for 1,442 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Gay only remained with Garden City for one season. After that, he briefly worked as a bouncer before joining the Canadian Football League in 2000. It was not long thereafter that Gay made his way to the NFL.

"After a short preseason stint in the CFL, Gay eventually came back stateside, eventually signing with the Browns in the summer of 2001. He tallied 51 carries for 172 yards and one touchdown, with his biggest game of the season coming in a Week 9 matchup against the Ray Lewis-led Ravens."

Gay, after that season, was waived, then he had a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts.

More than just a football player

According to his Legacy.com page, Gay, after his football career, became a welder, a job that he continued up until his death.

Family and faith were also very important to Gay.

"Benjamin married Margarita on February 10th, 2012 in Fort Morgan and she remained by his side until his passing. Benjamin and Margarita were parents and mentors to many children during their marriage, not all of whom were their biological children," the page reads.

It continues, "Benjamin was a stalwart Christian and a proud attendee to Platte Valley Baptist Church. He loved to spend time with his family, work on cars, and ensured that the yards of his family members were well cared for."

Gay, according to Nirfino, " is survived by his wife Margarita, her son Damian Ortega, their daughters Julie Ortega and Brianna Morales, his brother Rodley Johnson, and sisters Kathy Gay, Benika Gay, Stacey Butler, and Lola Smith, along with numerous nieces and nephews."