The entire Concordia University community, especially members of the Stingers football program, wish to express their sympathies to the family and friends of Concordia Sports Hall of Famer Nick Benjamin.
The affable former Stinger died recently following a lengthy battle with kidney disease. He was 46 years old at the time of his death.
Benjamin was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Concordia Stingers football uniform. An offensive tackle, he was known for his aggressive play and speed. At 285 pounds, he could run 40 yards in 4.89 seconds.
He was highly decorated, earning two conference all-stars, two all-Canadian awards and being named Concordia Male Athlete of the Year in 1985. He was a member of the Stingers Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference championship team in 1982.
His prowess attracted the attention of many professional teams, including the NFL's New York Giants who came to Concordia to work him out. Benjamin was drafted first overall by the Ottawa Rough Riders in the 1985 CFL draft. His career spanned nine years with the Rough Riders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
In 1985, he was named the Schenley Rookie of the Year in the East. Benjamin was a CFL all-star in 1988. He played in three Grey Cup games and was a member of the 1990 Grey Cup champion Blue Bombers. He went on to establish a post-football career in Winnipeg as an entrepreneur and youth care worker.
Benjamin was inducted into the prestigious Concordia Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. His 1982 championship team will be inducted into the hall next month. The team will also be honored at halftime of the Homecoming football game on Sept. 29.
