Former Cleveland Browns running back Benjamin Gay tragically died in a car accident in Colorado on July 29, at the age of 44.
Reports from Nirfino on Saturday confirmed the Houston native’s passing. An obituary posted on the same day noted, “Benjamin passed into the care of our Lord.”
According to Rowanoak Mortuary & Crematory, “Benjamin was a devoted Christian and an active member of Platte Valley Baptist Church. He cherished spending time with his family, working on cars, and taking care of his relatives’ yards. Benjamin enjoyed staying busy and was happiest when he had tasks to complete.”
Gay is survived by his wife, Margarita Gay; his son, Damian Ortega; his daughters, Julie Ortega and Brianna Morales; his brother, Rodley Johnson; his sisters, Kathy Gay, Benika Gay, Stacey Butler, and Lola Smith; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A high school standout at Spring High School in Houston, Gay initially signed with Baylor before transferring to Garden City Community College in Kansas. He later made it to the NFL, joining the Browns in 2001 just before training camp. Although his NFL career was brief, Gay became a fan favorite as a third-string running back and special teams player, particularly during a memorable game against the Baltimore Ravens, who were fresh off a Super Bowl victory.