Cedric Myron Benson, professionally known as Cedric Benson was an American football running back. The Chicago Bears drafted him fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. He also played for Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. He played 8 seasons in NFL rushing for 6,017 yards and 32 touchdowns. He played college football for the University of Texas. He died in a motorcycle accident on 17 August in Austin, Texas, where his motorcycle crashed with a minivan. 

What is Cedric Benson Famous For?

• Ed Block Courage Award (2010)
• Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2001)
• Doak Walker Award (2004)
• AT&T ESPN All-American Player of the Year (2004)

Source: @sportsnews.bloglady.com

Where was Cedric Benson Born?

Cedric Benson was born on 28 December 1982. His birth name was Cedric Myron Benson. His birth place was in Midland, Texas in the United States. He holds American nationality. Information about his parents will be updated soon.

He attended Abell Junior High School in Midland, Texas, where he started playing football. He finished his high school playing career with 8,432 rushing yards, leading his team to three consecutive State Championships. 

He was also a center fielder on the baseball team. He hit .361 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs as a senior in District 4-5A games. 

Baseball Career

The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him 370th overall in the 2001 MLB Draft. 

He played in their summer league. 

He also played with the Gulf Coast League Dodgers. 

He had 5 hits, 1 run, 3 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 RBIs in 25 at-bats. 

Source: @people.com

College Career

He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played college football. 

He finished his collegiate career with 5,540 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. 

He ranks sixth all-time in NCAA Division I-A history and second in Longhorns team history in terms of rushing yards. 

He earned membership into Texas' Athletics Director Academic Honor Roll and the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2003.

He graduated from the University of Texas majoring in social work and sociology. 

College Highlights

Third-team All-Big 12 (2001)

Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2001)

Second-team All-Big 12 (2002)

2 times First-team All-Big 12 (2003, 2004)

Doak Walker Award (2004)

Consensus All-American (2004)

AT&T ESPN All-American Player of the Year (2004)

Source: @espn.com

NFL Career

The Chicago Bears selected him fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft.

He signed a five-year deal with the Bears worth $35 million. 

He became backup running back to Thomas Jones. 

He did not receive much playing time in his first season. In addition, he suffered a medical collateral ligament, that kept him out of football for the rest the season. 

He was once again secondary running back for the 2006 season. 

He became the starting running back for the Bear for the 2007 season. 

The Bears released Benson in June 2008 following his second alcohol-related arrest. 

Cincinnati Bengals

He signed a one-year contract worth $520,000 with the Cincinnati Bengals in September 2008. 

He had 932 all-purpose yards (747 rushings and 185 receiving) in 12 games in the 2008 season. 

He became a free agent after the 2008 season. He signed a two-year contract extension worth $7 million with the Bengals in March 2009. 

He rushed 1,251 yards in 13 games in the 2009 season. 

He rushed 1,111 yards in the 2010 season and 1,067 in the 2011 season.

Green Bay Packers

He signed a one-year deal reportedly worth $825,000 with the Green Bay Packers in August 2012. 

He suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot in October 2012. 

It was his final season in the NFL. 

NFL Highlights

Ed Block Courage Award (2010)

Post-NFL Career

After his NFL career, he became a loan originator. 

Health Issues

He confirmed in October 2009 that he had been diagnosed with the Celiac disease shortly before he was released by the Bears. He then adopted a gluten-free diet.

Source: @nbcnews.com

Legal Issues

He was arrested twice while in college. He was once arrested for marijuana possession. His case was dropped. He was later arrested for criminal trespass. He was sentenced to 8 days in prison. However, he did not serve jail time due to overcrowding in Travis County Jail. 

He was arrested for allegedly operating a boat while intoxicated and resisting arrest in Austin, Texas, ahead of the 2008 season in May 2008. He was charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. 

He was arrested for driving while intoxicated in June 2008. He was released on bond. This incident led to his release by the Bears as well. He was later cleared of all charges after appearing before two grand juries in Travis County.

He was arrested for assault with injury in June 2010. He had reportedly punched a bartender in the face. 

He was arrested in July 2011 for a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail and ordered to pay a $4,000 fine. He was released after serving 5 days in jail. 

He was arrested in February 2017 for driving while intoxicated in Austin, Texas. He was released on the same day after posting bond. 

Death

He was riding his motorcycle on RM 2222 in Austin, Texas on 17 August 2019. He had a female passenger with her. His bike crashed with a minivan. Benson and the woman were pronounced dead at the scene. The two passengers in the minivan were injured as well. 

Benson died at the age of 36.

How tall was Cedric Benson?

Cedric Benson stood at a height of 1.8 m i.e. 5 feet and 11 inches tall. He had a body weight of 227 lbs i.e. 103 kg. He had an athletic body build.