Heath Benedict

Heath Benedict (June 30, 1983 – March 23, 2008) was a Dutch American football player. An offensive tackle, Benedict was considered to be a late round (or undrafted free agent) offensive linemen prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft.[1]

Heath Benedict
College	Newberry
Conference	SAC
Sport	American football
Position	Offensive tackle
Jersey #	74
Class	Senior
Major	Business
Career	2004–2007
Height	6 ft 4.75 in (195 cm)
Weight	326lbs
Nationality	USA
Born	June 30, 1983 Tilburg, Netherlands
Died	March 23, 2008(2008-03-23) (aged 24) Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
High school	Peddie School, Hightstown, NJ
Former school(s)	Tennessee
Career highlights
Awards
2006 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, 2007 Jacobs Blocking Trophy
Honors
2007 1st team All-American by AP and D2football.com, 2007 Gene Upshaw Award Finalist, 1st team All-SAC (2005, 2006, 2007)
Bowl games

Benedict was born in Tilburg, The Netherlands, to United States citizens: Ed Benedict, a former high school star athlete from Youngsville, Pennsylvania, and Holly Devore. After his birth, the family moved to Greer, South Carolina, where Benedict grew up playing baseball, basketball, and soccer. Benedict was originally a talented baseball prospect, with fastballs reaching the low 90's by the time he reached high school. After his freshman year Benedict had surgery on his pitching elbow to have bone spurs removed. Instead of letting this setback deter him, Benedict began playing football, a sport he found he naturally excelled at given his height and weight.

After his freshman year, Benedict transferred from Riverside High School in Greer to the Hill School in New Jersey. Due to poor academics, he transferred the next year to the Peddie School in New Jersey to focus solely on football. It was there that Benedict mastered his craft. Upon completion of his senior season in 2003, he was considered the top football prospect in the state of New Jersey. Benedict was the Number 7 Parade All-American in that year as well. He had scholarship offers from all major Division 1 programs. Benedict chose to visit Tennessee, South Carolina, Miami, Florida State, and Oklahoma (which was canceled after his decision to attend the University of Tennessee).

He originally played for the University of Tennessee but left after poor academic performance and red-shirting his freshman year. He transferred and played right tackle at Newberry College. Benedict left school with one semester of classes remaining to pursue an NFL career, and participated in the Senior Bowl (being the only Division II player since 2004 to do so) as well as the NFL Scouting Combine.

Benedict died suddenly at his home in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 23, 2008. Authorities did not suspect foul play and the cause of his death was an enlarged heart. It was also determined that performance enhancing steroids may have led to his death. [2]