College football player Ben Conken has died at the age of 20 following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Conken, a standout 6-foot-3, 205-pound defensive outside linebacker out of Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Alabama, signed with the University of West Florida Argonauts as part of their 2024 recruiting class.

Shortly after joining the program, Conken was diagnosed with cancer and was unable to appear in a game for the university, though he remained actively involved with the team throughout his treatment.

'Shortly after joining our program, he began a hard fought battle with cancer but continued to show his support for UWF,' West Florida Athletics said in a statement. 'He will forever remain a member of this team and an Argo for life.'

Cottage Hill head coach Carvel Jones remembered Conken as a 'dawg on the football field,' recalling how the linebacker maintained his trademark smile even while undergoing treatment.

During his senior high school season, Conken dominated on the field with 10 sacks, 85 tackles, and five forced fumbles while also competing in basketball and baseball.

In an emotional tribute, Cottage Hill Christian Academy shared that 'our hearts are broken by his passing' as memories from former coaches, teammates, and staff poured in online.

'Football was his favorite, and he dreamed of one day playing Division I,' Conken's obituary read. 'He earned the opportunity to live that dream as a scholarship defensive outside linebacker for the University of West Florida Argonauts. 

'Ben was intensely competitive, but never at the expense of sportsmanship, fairness, and character.

'He lived by a mantra of 'get up and do something.' He was not content with a life of passive observation. Even when countless healthcare workers, support staff, and volunteers devoted themselves to his care, Ben was actively learning so that he could return that care tenfold to others.'

The obituary added: 'His heroes were those who saw a need, had the ability to meet it, and quietly answered the call without praise, recognition, or reward. He would absolutely hate to have to read all this about himself.'

Cottage Hill Christian Academy said in a statement, 'While our hearts are broken by his passing, we are comforted by the knowledge that he knew the Lord and placed his faith in Him. 

'His earthly battle is over, and we trust that he is now resting in the presence of his Savior.'