Iowa State tight end Benjamin Brahmer is reportedly trending in the right direction after he suddenly collapsed during a college football game on Saturday. It was a very scary moment.
He was alert on his way to the hospital and gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he left the field.
An incident of this kind is always a possibility in college football but nobody expects it to happen. Fortunately, all of the early reports about his health are very positive.
Benjamin Brahmer took a big hit and collapsed.
Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht threw a pass to Brahmer near the numbers early in the fourth quarter. His head was turned toward the line of scrimmage and his eyes were focused on the ball so he did not see Keith Abney II coming.
The Arizona State defensive back delivered a clean hit to the body of Brahmer. He led with his shoulder and made contact well below the head or neck area. It just so happened to come from the blind side.
Replay of the hit pic.twitter.com/yksaCNrl4a
— Carter Lowe (@collegefutebol) November 1, 2025
Brahmer initially got back on his feet with the help of his teammates as the medial staff ran out to check on him. They took a few steps toward the Iowa State sideline together. And then he suddenly collapsed. (WARNING: the video below might be disturbing to some.)
Iowa State's Benjamin Brahmer has collapsed after taking a big (but clean) hit from Keith Abney III #ForksUp #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/2mcbCs1v4z
— Carter Lowe (@collegefutebol) November 1, 2025
Fortunately, Benjamin Brahmer was conscious and alert as he made his way off of the field on an injury cart. He even gave a thumbs up.
Benjamin Brahmer gives a thumbs up to the medic as he is carted off the field
— Carter Lowe (@collegefutebol) November 1, 2025
A good sign in an absolutely terrifying sequence in Ames
Hoping we get a positive update soon pic.twitter.com/GokxazZgP2
It was a very good sign after a very scary moment.
Iowa State will provide additional updates when they are available.
UPDATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY AS OF 6:30 P.M. ET: “Ben was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center after suffering an injury in the fourth quarter of today’s Iowa State-Arizona State football game. He was evaluated and treated and has been discharged from the hospital.”
Immediately after the game, all we knew for certain is that Benjamin Brahmer was transported to the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames on Saturday. It was deemed “precautionary.”
Matt Campbell provided additional information during his postgame press conference.
“They took him to the hospital, it’s precautionary, so far the feedback we’ve gotten has been positive,” he said. “It was tough to watch and Ben is as tough as they come.”
The head coach said he would be giving inaccurate information if he tried to describe what happened. Iowa State will have a better explanation on Tuesday.