Former high school star and NFL running back Benjamin Gay was killed in a car accident in Colorado in late July.

He was 44.

Gay, born in Houston, was a Texas football standout at Spring High School, earning USA Today All-American honors in 1997.

After initially signing on with Baylor to play college football, he eventually suited up for Garden City Community College in Kansas in 1999, rushing for 1,442 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Gay, after one season at Garden City, worked as a bouncer before briefly joining the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League in 2000, according to the Plain Dealer.

After a short preseason stint in the CFL, Gay eventually came back stateside, eventually signing with the Browns in the summer of 2001.

He tallied 51 carries for 172 yards and one touchdown, with his biggest game of the season coming in a Week 9 matchup against the Ray Lewis-led Ravens.

In that game against the defending Super Bowl champions, Gay recorded 18 rushes for 51 yards, including his lone NFL touchdown.

He also recorded four receptions and three tackles during that season before he was waived before the 2002 season.

He then signed with the Colts, but was cut during the preseason.

According to an online obituary, Gay started a career as a welder after his football days, continuing in the profession until his death.

Gay is survived by his wife of 12 years Margarita, son, Damian Ortega, and daughters, Julie Ortega and Brianna Morales.