2025 NEMFCA 8-Man Hall of Fame Inductee Salutes - Ben Hansen, Cedar Bluffs High School

BEN HANSEN – CEDAR BLUFFS HIGH SCHOOL

Ben carried on a family football tradition started by his father Bob- who played for the 1965 Cedar Bluffs State Title Team. From 1998 to 2001, it was Ben’s 5,367 rushing yards and 103 touchdowns that propelled the Wildcats all the way back to that type of prominence. From the beginning of his career, he was one of the premier running backs in the state and a staple of the Wildcat backfield. Along the way, Ben compiled school records in both rushing yards and touchdowns while also setting a state playoff record with a 79-yard kickoff return in 1999. In his career, Ben was named 1st Team All-Area, 1st Team All-Conference & District, and 1st Team All-State on multiple occasions. He also added over 300 career tackles and 8 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. After high school, Ben was selected to play in the 2002 Eight Man All-Star Game and later walked-on to the University of Nebraska- where he played running back from 2002 to 2004. Ben is most proud of the work ethic and life lessons he learned along the way from teammates and coaches- lessons that he still uses to this day. The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

*!000 Yard Guy Sez;

Man do I love this guy and the things he did on the gridiron back in his days at Cedar Bluffs! Ben Hansen was absolutely one of the best 8-Man runners in the history of the sport. So consistent and always, always dependable for the yardage the Wildcats needed week in and week out. Ben Hansen had brilliant football instincts and was (and is) just plain smart the way he did things. I was so lucky to see him perform his magic three times during his illustrious career. Truly one of my 8-Man football Heroes.