Ben Conken, a linebacker who signed to play college football for the University of West Florida, died Monday. He was 20 years old.
Conken was part of West Florida's 2024 recruiting class. He was a 6-foot-3, 205-pound player from Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Ala., who never appeared in a game for the university. Shortly after joining the program, he began a battle with cancer but continued to show his support for UWF, according to West Florida Athletics.
"He will forever remain a member of this team and an Argo for life," West Florida Athletics said in a statement.
Cottage Hill head coach Carvel Jones described Conken as a "dawg on the football field" and added that he would not forget Conken's smile, even while he was battling cancer. Conken also played basketball and baseball at Cottage Hill. During his senior football season, he recorded 10 sacks and 85 tackles, forcing five fumbles.
"Football was his favorite," Conken's obituary read. "He dreamed of one day playing Division I and earned the opportunity to live that dream as a scholarship defensive outside linebacker for the University of West Florida Argonauts. Ben was intensely competitive, but never at the expense of sportsmanship, fairness, and character."
His obituary also stated that he lived by the mantra "get up and do something" and was not content with a life of passive observation. Even while receiving care, Conken was actively learning so he could return that care to others. The obituary noted that his heroes were those who saw a need and quietly answered the call without seeking praise or recognition.
Cottage Hill stated, "Our hearts are broken by his passing."