Former Cleveland Browns running back Ben Gay dies in Colorado car accident

Former Cleveland Browns running back Ben Gay was killed in a car accident on July 29 in Colorado . He was 44.

Gay spent one season with the Browns in 2001, when he fashioned a story that seemed at the time like it was out of a movie. He started the season as a third-string running back after having been signed by the team three days before training camp.

The electric Gay immediately became a fan favorite, although he was primarily a special-teams player over the first eight games of the season. The ninth game, in Week 10 at the Baltimore Ravens, was when he etched his name in Browns lore.

Gay carried 18 times for 56 yards in a 27-17 win over the Ravens, who were coming off winning the Super Bowl the previous season. His 7-yard touchdown early in the second quarter gave the Browns a 10-0 lead.

That touchdown would be the only one Gay would score in his NFL career. The carries and rushing yards also would be career highs.

Gay finished the season with 51 carries for 172 yards and the one touchdown. He also averaged 22.3 yards on 22 kickoff returns.

The Browns waived Gay in April 2002. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts shortly after being released by Cleveland, but was cut during training camp.

Gay also played in Edmonton in the Canadian Football League.

The Houston native was a Texas high school legend at Spring High School who initially signed with Baylor University. He eventually went to Garden City Community College in Kansas.

After his football career, Gay worked as a welder. He is survived by his wife, Margarita, and three children, son Damian Ortega and daughters Julie Ortega and Brianna Morales.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rowanoak Mortuary and Crematory in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Cleveland Browns running back Ben Gay dies in Colorado car accident