A former college football player and current XFL athletic trainer passed away on Thursday evening, according to the league.
Ben Siegfried, trainer for the St. Louis BattleHawks and the D.C. Defenders, was discovered in the hotel gym days before the BattleHawks’ Sunday game against the Arlington Renegades, according to KTVI.
The reason of death has not been disclosed.
The BattleHawks issued a joint statement on Twitter with the Defenders and the XFL.
“The XFL family mourns the loss of our teammate, Ben Siegfried, who passed away last evening,” the statement said. “Ben, a graduate student athletic trainer from Lebanon Valley College working with the XFL Athletic Training Department, was an integral part of preparing our BattleHawks and Defenders for the season.”
The statement concluded, “His infectious smile in the locker room and passion for his work will be deeply missed by all the players and staff who had the opportunity to work with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) March 10, 2023
Co-owner of the Renegades, Dwanye “The Rock” Johnson, also remarked on Siegfried’s passing.
The actor and former collegiate wrestler and football player described the loss of the young guy as “devastating.”
So so sorry to hear this devastating news come in earlier today. Sending strength, love, light, and mana to the Siegfried family during this heartbreaking time.
We are with you. Stay strong. #BenSiegfried 🕊️ ❤️#battlehawknation#xflfamily https://t.co/pYqRZbKAky— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 11, 2023
“So so sorry to hear this devastating news come in earlier today,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “Sending strength, love, light, and mana to the Siegfried family during this heartbreaking time. We are with you. Stay strong.”
The former defensive tackle was a three-sport athlete and team captain in high school, according Siegfried’s alma mater.
The Annville, Pennsylvania-based Lebanon Valley College also said that the 22-year-old had 17 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a blocked kick in 10 games during the 2021 season.
The school tweeted a statement on Siegfried’s passing.
“LVC is saddened to learn that Ben Siegfried ’22, M’23 has passed away. A @LVCFootball DT, Ben was finishing his master’s degree in athletic training and was doing his clinical training with the XFL,” the school said. “Please keep Ben’s family, loved ones, and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
LVC is saddened to learn that Ben Siegfried ’22, M’23 has passed away. A @LVCFootball DT, Ben was finishing his master’s degree in athletic training and was doing his clinical training with the XFL. Please keep Ben’s family, loved ones, and friends in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/a1TTtXjnxQ
— LVC Athletics (@LVCathletics) March 10, 2023
Also, Lebanon Valley College confirmed that the BattleHawks will commemorate Siegfried prior to Sunday’s game in St. Louis against the Renegades.
The XFL will honor the memory of Ben Siegfried at Sunday’s Arlington Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks game at 4 p.m. ET and the Vegas Vipers vs. D.C. Defenders game at 7 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+ if you would like to watch in his honor. pic.twitter.com/1pkMDOs4PU
— LVC Athletics (@LVCathletics) March 11, 2023
St. Louis defeated Arlington 24-11.