Argonauts to honor late player Benjamin Conken during upcoming season

August 21, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Benjamin Conken, a University of West Florida student and football player, has died after a long-fought battle against cancer. He was 20.

UWF Head Football Coach Kaleb Nobles recruited Conken years ago. He said he remembers Conken's tenacity, effort, and love for the game.

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"Still an impact on our team even in the short time that he was with us," said Nobles.

Conken was going to be a redshirt sophomore for the Argonauts this season.

"About a month after we signed Ben in, February 2024, he found out he had a form of cancer in his head," said Nobles. "And so they got that, did surgery about a month later, got that taken out. And then over the last two years, he's kind of just had it show back up, spread a little bit, bounce around a little bit, you know, beat it. Come back. You know.

"So, (he's) gone through a long, long battle."

Nobles remembers Conken not only for his heart on the field but also his kindness off it.

"When he hit you, he hit you, and you were going to feel it and remember it," joked Nobles. "And, so great player. But also, a great person that, you know, everybody kind of loved and had a high regard for."

The team will honor Conken for the whole upcoming season.

"We'll do a moment of silence at the first game," said Nobles. "And then we'll also wear a helmet sticker on the back of our helmet for him this entire season, just to show memory for him, even on the short time that he was here. Just made a huge impact on our program."

The Argos' first home game is Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. against Southern Illinois.

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