Ben Christman’s Tragic Passing: Kirk Herbstreit Urges Respectful Discourse
The sports community is mourning the loss of Ben Christman, a former Ohio State football player who recently passed away at the age of 21. Following the announcement of Christman’s cause of death, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit took to social media to advocate against politicizing the tragedy.
Herbstreit’s Concerns
After Clark County Coroner’s Office in Nevada determined that Christman died from cardiomyopathy—an ailment affecting the heart—Herbstreit shared his condolences via X (formerly Twitter). His post received a response questioning Christman’s vaccination status against COVID-19, sparking Herbstreit’s strong rebuttal.
“I have no idea about Ben and his health history and respectfully this isn’t about politics. Heart disease-cardiac arrhythmia-irregular heartbeat have been issues with young people for generations!”
Medical Context
Christman had reported experiencing chest pains during a practice prior to his untimely death. Although a cardiologist at UNLV conducted an EKG and found no immediate heart problems, the young athlete’s passing serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges associated with heart health.
Family History of Heart Issues
In a follow-up tweet, Herbstreit emphasized the importance of thorough health screenings, noting a family history of cardiomyopathy among his relatives. He underscored the necessity for improved testing access to mitigate such tragic occurrences in future.
Tributes and Reflections
The Ohio State football program expressed its sorrow at Christman’s passing, offering their thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. His time with the team in 2021 and 2022 remains fondly remembered by teammates and coaches alike.
The members of the Ohio State football program are saddened to learn of the passing of Ben Christman, a member of our team in 2021 and 2022. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who knew Ben well ❤️
Closing Thoughts
As discussions continue regarding the complexities of health issues, Herbstreit’s message stands as a call to focus on facts rather than speculation. The tragic loss of Ben Christman highlights the broader issues surrounding heart health, especially in young athletes.