UNLV football player Ben Christman, who passed away suddenly on February 11, had reportedly experienced chest pains just a day before his death, according to new documents.
The 21-year-old offensive lineman was found unresponsive in his off-campus apartment by his teammates, who immediately called 911 and attempted CPR, but it was too late.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responded to the distress call shortly after 10 AM. When an officer arrived, Christman was found lying on his back, foaming at the mouth, with his fingers turning purple.
The officer noted that he had likely been deceased for several hours due to discoloration on his right arm.
According to reports, Christman’s teammates became concerned when he missed practice that morning. Around 9:55 AM, they went to check on him at his apartment.
Upon entering through the back door, they noticed his bedroom door was slightly open with the lights off. When they found him unresponsive, they called emergency services and began administering CPR in an attempt to revive him.
Further details revealed that Christman had experienced chest pains during practice on February 10, just a day before his passing. A UNLV coach performed an EKG on him at the football facility, and the results were later reviewed by a cardiologist, who found them to be normal.
However, despite the seemingly clear test results, Christman’s condition took a fatal turn overnight.
A teammate who lived with Christman reported that he returned home around 3 PM on February 10, exchanged a brief greeting, and went straight into his room. That was the last time anyone saw or heard from him.
The following morning, when he failed to show up for practice, his teammates became worried and went to check on him—only to make the devastating discovery.
Authorities who examined the scene found no signs of foul play, drugs, weapons, or any other suspicious materials in Christman’s apartment.
His obituary later stated that he had died in his sleep from natural causes, though the exact medical details surrounding his condition have not been disclosed.
Christman was a highly regarded athlete, originally a four-star recruit in the 2021 class. He began his collegiate football career at Ohio State before transferring to Kentucky.
In December, he joined UNLV, eager for a fresh start in his football journey.
His unexpected passing has sent shockwaves through the college football community. Friends, family, and teammates have all expressed their grief, remembering Christman as a dedicated player and a kind-hearted individual who had a promising future ahead of him.
As the UNLV football program and Christman’s loved ones mourn his loss, questions remain about the chest pains he experienced before his death and whether further medical evaluations could have detected a more serious underlying issue.
While no foul play is suspected, his passing is a tragic reminder of the unpredictable nature of health issues, even in young and seemingly healthy athletes.
The university and football team have rallied together to honor his memory, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, coaches, and fans. UNLV is expected to hold a memorial service to celebrate Christman’s life and contributions to the sport.
