Benjamin Gay

"Ben Gay" redirects here. For the ointment, see Bengay.

Benjamin Gay Jr
No. 34
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1980-02-28)February 28, 1980
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died:July 29, 2024(2024-07-29) (aged 44)
Colorado, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Spring (Spring, Texas)
College:Garden City CC
Undrafted:2001
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:172
Rushing average:3.4
Touchdowns:1
Fumbles–lost:4–3

Benjamin Stevenson Gay Jr. (February 28, 1980 – July 29, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) in 2001.

Born in Houston,[1] Gay was a star running back at Spring High School in Spring, Texas. As a senior in 1997, he was a USA Today first-team All-American.[2][3][4] He chose Baylor over Florida, Florida State, and Miami. However, five weeks into his freshman season in 1998, he was kicked off the team for rules violations. He eventually enrolled at Garden City Community College. Playing nine games in 1999, he rushed for 1,442 yards and 17 touchdowns but was dismissed from the team because of his grades and rules violations.[2][5] He took a job as a bouncer at a bar in Garden City, Kansas.[5]

In 2000, he was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos, but was released after the first preseason game. On July 20, 2001, he was signed by the Cleveland Browns.[6] He spent the 2001 season as a third-string RB behind James Jackson and Jamel White. His career game came in a 27–17 Browns win at Baltimore on November 18, when he had his first 18 NFL carries for 56 yards, including one touchdown.[7][8][9]

On April 24, 2002, the Browns waived Gay, and he signed with the Indianapolis Colts five days later.[10] The Colts released Gay on August 19.[11]

Gay died in a traffic collision on July 29, 2024, at the age of 44.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Ben Gay". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Benjamin Gay: Player Bio". Cleveland Browns. Archived from the original on August 27, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  3. ^ McClain, John (August 8, 2001). "Things finally going Gay's way with Browns". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 21, 2001. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Borges, Ron. "Glory daze". The Boston Globe. p. C1. Archived from the original on July 12, 2001. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Cabot, Mary Kay (November 20, 2001). "Legend's on the map". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Archived from the original on November 26, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Benjamin Gay". Cleveland Browns. Archived from the original on December 14, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "Ben Gay 2001 Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  8. ^ Boyer, Mary Schmitt (November 20, 2001). "Gay makes huge impression in first extended playing time". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Archived from the original on November 26, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  9. ^ Grossi, Tony (November 19, 2001). "A victory to crow about". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Archived from the original on November 21, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  10. ^ "NFL waivers by month". NFL.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Oehser, Josh (August 19, 2002). "Bringing in the backs". Indianapolis Colts. Archived from the original on December 25, 2002.
  12. ^ Easterling, Chris (August 3, 2024). "Former Cleveland Browns running back Ben Gay dies in Colorado car accident". The Alliance Review. Alliance, Ohio. Retrieved August 4, 2024.