When did college football lose one of its brightest young stars? On Monday, August 17th, the University of West Florida community was absolutely SHATTERED to learn that their beloved football player Ben Conken, just 20 years old, had tragically succumbed to cancer. Honestly, we’re not ready for this kind of heartbreak, and clearly, neither is anyone else.
The UWF Football program announced the devastating news on Wednesday, August 19th via Instagram, and let’s just say the comments section became an absolute tissue box moment. “We are deeply saddened to share the loss of a fellow Argo, Ben Conken,” the official statement read. “Shortly after joining our program, he began a hard fought battle…” Look, they didn’t even need to finish the sentence—the pain was PALPABLE through the screen, honey.
Ben’s journey was nothing short of inspirational. This young athlete didn’t just show up to play football; he showed up to FIGHT. From the moment he joined the Argos program, Ben’s battle with cancer became a testament to his incredible strength and resilience. Teammates have been flooding social media with tributes, and we have to say, the love is REAL and it is OVERWHELMING.
What makes this tragedy even more gut-wrenching is that Ben had his ENTIRE life ahead of him. Twenty years old! He should have been celebrating touchdowns, going to college parties, and living his best life—not fighting such a brutal illness. The university community has rallied together in the most beautiful way, sharing memories and celebrating the legacy he left behind in such a short time.
The comments on UWF Football’s post are absolutely heartbreaking—teammates calling him a brother, coaches praising his determination, and fans mourning the loss of someone who represented everything good about college athletics. It’s giving pure love and respect, and honestly, we’re crying too.
Ben Conken may have only been here for 20 years, but his impact? ETERNAL, darling. Rest easy, Argo. Your fight was seen, your spirit was felt, and you will never be forgotten. The football world is a little dimmer without your light.
What do you think? A) College athletes deserve more support with health challenges B) We need better access to cancer treatment for young people