Former University of Texas football star and NFL RB Cedric Benson dead at 36

WTVD logo
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Former UT football star Cedric Benson dead at 36
Benson was given the Doak Walker award during his senior year at UT, which goes to the nation's top running back.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Former University of Texas football star Cedric Benson has died at the age of 36, his brother confirmed on Facebook.

The running back died in Austin Sunday morning after a motorcycle accident, according to ESPN.

Cedric Benson killed in motorcycle accident

Social media posts expressing condolences began flowing in, notably from Tom Herman, the current coach at UT, and former Longhorn coach Mack Brown.

Benson made a name for himself during his college career with the Longhorns. He finished at UT with 5,540 rushing yards, which is second in Longhorns program history.

He was also given the Doak Walker award during his senior year at UT, which goes to the nation's top running back.

Sam Bassett was Benson's attorney and released a statement.

Benson was the 4th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He also played for the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals.

After a deadly bombing in Austin last year, Benson helped restore the home of the victim's family.