Cedric Benson's Last Instagram Story Post Before His Death is Heartbreaking
By Michael Luciano
The football world had to say goodbye to a Texas legend when former Longhorns running back Cedric Benson, who had a productive eight-year NFL career after being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 draft, passed away at the age of 36 following a fatal motorcycle accident.
His final Instagram story, posted the afternoon before his death, showed him fawning over his prized motorcycle, and looks unfathomably haunting and ominous following his passing.
Life is so short and fragile and beautiful and scary. This Instagram story Cedric Benson posted less than 24 hours ago will take your breath away and remind you we are never guaranteed tomorrow. #HookEmInHeaven pic.twitter.com/gy0Y0CviFQ
— Real Mom, Real Tired (@EricaBrennes) August 18, 2019
Only Ricky Williams had more rushing yards and touchdowns in his Longhorns career than Benson, who put up numbers greater than those of Hall of Famer Earl Campbell and Jamaal Charles. Benson piled up four straight 1,000 yard seasons under Mack Brown, totaling 5,540 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns.
After floundering for three years with Lovie Smith's Chicago Bears, Benson was reborn in the NFL under Marvin Lewis. As a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Benson had three-consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. Benson ended his career with a total of 6,017 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground.
A couple years ago I did a video for Bengals RB Coach Jim Anderson. Here is the Cedric Benson section. True bellcow and a defining player of that era, especially the 2009 Cardiac Cats season. RIP to a real one. pic.twitter.com/usRSleaJme
— Brennen Warner (@BrennenWarner) August 19, 2019
A life taken far too soon, both professional and college football mourn the loss of a powerful, tough runner who was one of the most productive backs in Texas and Bengals history.