Ben Flick, a 19-year-old true freshman offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bearcats football team, died in an auto accident Saturday evening not long after the team's win over Miami (Ohio). He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Cincinnati Bearcats lineman Ben Flick dies in auto accident
Hours after beating rival Miami (Ohio), the Bearcats received news that one of their own players had passed away and two others were critically injured in an auto accident.
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Two of Flick's teammates, true freshmen Mark Barr and Javon Harrison, were also injured in the accident and transported to UC Medical Center. Barr and the driver of the vehicle, whose name has not been released, are in critical condition. Harrison is in stable condition.
Bearcats head football coach Tommy Tuberville released a statement on Sunday:
I can’t put into words how tragic this is. As a father and a coach, it’s something you hope you never have to go through. Ben was so proud to be a part of this team and University. He worked hard and had shown a great deal of improvement since the summer. His future was bright. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Flick family on their loss. We also hope and pray for Mark and Javon to recover from their injuries.
The accident occurred at 10:30 p.m. ET in Butler County, Ohio, after the three redshirt freshman had attended the Bearcats’ 14-10 win over rival Miami (Ohio) in Yeager Stadium.
Flick’s last tweet was sent out hours before the accident, standing with university president Santa Ono, displaying his pride to be playing for Cincinnati:
Supporting the Bearcats with @PrezOno !! #BearcatNation pic.twitter.com/I39DAlSXz0
— FLICK NATION (@Benflick1) September 22, 2013
President Ono and teammates displayed their sadness over the tragedy on Twitter (via Down the Drive):
My heart goes out to the friends and family of Ben Flick, Mark Barr and Javon Harrison. We stand together as one UC.
— Santa J. Ono (@PrezOno) September 22, 2013
RIP Ben Flick. I love you buddy and I'll miss you. Another brother fallen this world is F***** up. #rip77
— Patrick Coyne (@PatrickCoyne9) September 22, 2013
Stuff like this just makes you realize that football is only an alternate, inferior reality compared to real life.
— Kal-El (@SollyT01) September 22, 2013
Playin every game this season with #77 on my wrist for Ben. Rest easy big dog glad we got to become friends
— houston krause (@H_to_the_Krause) September 22, 2013
Please keep Mark Barr and Javon Harrison in your prayers as well. Sad day for #bearcatnation
— Ralph Abernathy IV (@_Uno_1) September 22, 2013
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