NFL Player Killed in Motorcycle Crash Played Against the San Angelo Central Bobcats

AUSTIN, TX — Authorities in Austin report NFL player and former Texas high school legend Cedric Benson who played football for Midland Lee High School was killed in a motorcycle crash in Austin Saturday night.  

The legendary high school running back led the Midland Lee Rebels state championships in 1998, 1999 and 2000.  Midland Lee beat San Angelo Central High School 49 to 7 in 1998, 55 to 19 in 1999 and 38 to 0 in 2000.  

Austin law enforcement report the motorcycle Benson was operating crashed into a minivan on Ranch-to-Market 2222 in northwest Austin.  Benson and the female passenger on the motorcycle were both killed. 

While at Midland Lee, Benson rushed for 8,418 yards putting him eighth on the all-time rushing list in Texas high school football according to Dave Campbell's Texas Football. 

Benson also has the most yards of any player in the state's highest classification.  He also scored five touchdowns in each of the state championship games and was the first player to appear on the cover of Dave Campbell's annual magazine.

Benson then attended the University of Texas in Austin where he rushed for 5,540 yards and 64 touchdowns for the Longhorns.  

Benson was winner of the Doak Walker Award and is the tenth leading rusher in NCAA Division 1 college football.  He is the only Longhorn running back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.  

Benson was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the fourth player in the first round if the draft in 2005.  Benson played for the Bears, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers rushing for a total of 6,017 yards and 32 touchdowns.