Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is mourning the death of former teammate and NFL running back Cedric Benson, who was killed in a motorcycle accident late Saturday night in Texas.
Rodgers, the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft, and Benson, the fourth overall pick, played together in Green Bay during the 2012 season, which turned out to be Benson’s last in the NFL.
The two built an instant friendship after Benson left the Cincinnati Bengals to join the Packers in 2012.
“Very sad news today to hear of the passing of my friend and former teammate Cedric Benson,” Rodgers wrote on his official Instagram page. “Ced and I became fast friends during his short stay in Green Bay, and would spend many lunch hours in the cafeteria talking about life and football. Ced was very smart and thoughtful and I always walked away from our conversations feeling like I learned something or wanted to go research something so that I could keep up with him in our conversations. Love and prayers to his family and friends, thanks CB for the inspiration, you will be missed.”
Benson, a star at the University of Texas, played in only five games with Rodgers during the 2012 season before suffering a foot injury that cost him the final 11 games of the year. He rushed for 248 yards and one touchdown.
The Packers signed Benson midway through training camp after injuries depleted the running back position. He started all five games for the Packers. Twice, he rushed for over 80 yards, including an 81-yard effort during a win over his former team, the Chicago Bears.
Benson suffered a Lisfranc fracture against the Indianapolis Colts and missed the rest of the season. He would never play in the NFL again.
Benson was 36 years old at the time of his passing.
