Former Cleveland Browns running back Benjamin Gay Jr. has tragically passed away.

Gay, survived by his wife and three children, worked as a welder following his retirement from football. He was 44 years old.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the fan-favorite died in a vehicular accident that took place in Colorado on Monday.

The Akron, Ohio native’s path to the NFL was far from typical. A superstar in high school, Benjamin Gay Jr. found himself kicked off the program at Baylor and continued his career at Garden City Community College.

The best players would have had difficulty being drafted from junior college, so it was no surprise when the league passed on him. He ended up in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos but was released after a single preseason game.

He got a tryout after returning to the United States, with the Browns signing him before training camp in 2001.

Benjamin Gay Jr.’s Stint In The NFL Was A Brief One

Benjamin Gay Jr. only played one season for Cleveland, but it was a memorable one in which he endeared himself to the fans.

Having started the term as the third-strong RB and special teams cog, he started against defending Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, giving an excellent account of himself as he registered 63 yards from scrimmage and a critical touchdown in the 27-17 win.

He was the Browns’ top rusher in a comeback win over the Tenessee Titans in which they fought back from 14 down in the fourth quarter to win.