“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that, following an accident, he has left us!”

A 44-year-old former Cleveland Browns NFL star died in a terrible car accident.

Today is the funeral for Benjamin Gay, who played running back for Ohio for one season in 2001.

A local news source, the Akron Beacon Journal, says Gay was a fan favorite while he played for the Cleveland Browns.

Before training camp, he was signed just three days before. Later, he helped the Browns beat the Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens 27–17.

Gay scored a touchdown early in the second quarter that put the Cleveland Browns ahead.

After that, Gay scored only one more touchdown in the NFL.

An obituary says that Gay worked as a welder after leaving the NFL and until he died.

The football star of the past married Margarita in February 2012, and they had three children together: a son, two daughters, and a granddaughter.

Gay was a “stalwart Christian” who went to Fort Morgan, Colorado’s Platte Valley Baptist Church.

“He loved to spend time with his family, work on cars, and ensured that the yards of his family members were well cared for,” it says.

“Benjamin enjoyed staying busy, and was always happy when he had something to do.”

In Houston, Texas, Gay was born Benjamin Stevenson Gay Jr.

He was named a USA Today first-team All-American after graduating from Spring High School. After that, he went to Baylor University and Garden City Community College.

He finally got his degree and got a Master’s in Biology.

Prior to joining the NFL, Gay played for the Edmonton Eskimos in Canada.

Numerous tributes to the former football star have been posted on social media in the days following his death.

“Very sad news: Former #Browns standout running back Ben Gay was killed in a car crash,” a user said.

“Rest in peace, excellent person and teammate. Feeling grateful for the chance to be your Fullback during our Semi-Pro Days. “Relax, bro!” said someone else.

“I just found out that Benjamin Gay died. All of us who knew him are sad about his death. A third person added, “May he rest in peace.”

“If you knew high school football back in the late late 90’s in Texas, then you heard of Benjamin Gay,” a person wrote.

“My buddy from school, my friend. Excellent running back, the best in the state’s history. Good luck, big dog!”

The Associated Press confirmed the car accident that killed the person.

More information wasn’t available right away.

The Fort Morgan, Colorado-based Rowanoak Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of the funeral plans.

Soon, details about a service for gay people will be made public.