College Football HQ

Cause of death for college football player Ben Christman revealed

What we know after learning of the death of college football offensive lineman Ben Christman.

James Parks

Former college football offensive lineman Ben Christman died at the age of 21 of natural causes.
Former college football offensive lineman Ben Christman died at the age of 21 of natural causes. /

Days after the sudden death of college football player Ben Christman this month, we now have more information as to what happened to the former offensive lineman.

Christman died of natural causes, his family revealed.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Ben Paul Christman. Ben passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 11, 2025, from natural causes,” his obituary read.

Christman died one day shy of his 22nd birthday.

“A standout player on the field, he was known for his strength, determination, and larger than life presence, earning him the affectionate nickname ‘Big Ben,’” Christman’s obituary read.

“He was a force on and off the field, always ready with a smile and a helping hand, and his love for the sport, particularly football, fueled his dreams of playing at the highest level.”

UNLV head football Dan Mullen paid tribute to Christman after the player's death.

“Our team’s heart is broken to hear of Ben’s passing,” he said in a statement.

Mullen added: “Since the day Ben set foot on our campus a month ago, he made the Rebels a better program. Ben was an easy choice for our Leadership Committee as he had earned the immediate respect, admiration, and friendship of all his teammates.”

Christman arrived at UNLV as one of several players the program signed through the transfer portal during the 2025 football offseason.

The lineman began his collegiate career at Ohio State as a four-star recruit, spending two seasons with the Buckeyes and appearing in one game against Indiana.

He then transferred to Kentucky, where he played two seasons before transferring again, to UNLV, where he would have had two years of eligibility remaining.

Christman was the second UNLV football player to die in the last two years, as former Rebels defensive lineman Ryan Keeler died in February 2023 from a heart condition.

Keeler was found unresponsive in his apartment in Las Vegas at the time, and the Clark Co. (Nev.) Coroner’s Office said the player died of cardiac dysrhythmia.

-

Read More from College Football HQ On SI

-

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks

Published
James Parks
JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He previously covered football for 247Sports and CBS Interactive. College Football HQ joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022.

Home/News