College soccer participant died of irregular heartbeat | USAEMALL.com

Ben Christman, a college football offensive lineman who had transferred from Kentucky to UNLV, was found dead in his off-campus apartment back in February at the age of 21, one day before his birthday.

Christman reportedly felt chest pains the day before he died while practicing and underwent an EKG at a team facility.

Well, the Clark County (Nevada) Coroner’s Office announced Thursday that Christman died from cardiac arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat and cardiomyopathy, a disease that impacts the heart muscle.

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Ben Christman looks on during training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 10, 2021. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services)

Christman was at Ohio State for two seasons before he transferred to Kentucky. He sat out the 2023 season with a knee injury and played on special teams in 2024. He was set to play for UNLV in the upcoming 2025 season.

“Our team’s heart is broken to hear of Ben’s passing,” UNLV head coach Dan Mullen said in a statement at the time of his death. “Since the day Ben set foot on our campus a month ago, he made the Rebels a better program. Ben was an easy choice for our Leadership Committee as he had earned the immediate respect, admiration and friendship of all his teammates. 

“Our prayers go out to his family and all who knew him. Ben made the world a better place and he will be missed.”

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Ben Christman celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Jan 1, 2022. (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

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School president Keith E. Whitfield said he was “incredibly saddened” to hear about Christman’s death.

“There is little that can be said to lessen the pain of suddenly losing a member of our university family at such a young age, and my heart breaks for all who knew and loved him,” he said. “On behalf of UNLV, our sincere condolences are with Ben’s family, friends, loved ones, and teammates during this very difficult time.”

Offensive tackle Ben Christman plays during the Ohio State Buckeyes’ spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on April 17, 2021. (Adam Cairns/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Christman was from Akron, Ohio, and played high school football at Revere High School. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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