Ben Askren on Lung Transplant List After Severe Illness

Ben Askren, the renowned Olympic wrestler and a standout figure from the University of Missouri, has recently found himself in a challenging situation. Following severe pneumonia, he has been placed on a lung transplant list after being put on a ventilator.

This development comes after he was hospitalized earlier this month in his hometown of Wisconsin. His wife, Amy, shared the news on Facebook on Tuesday, confirming that he is officially on the transplant list.

“While he waits, please pray that he becomes stronger and stable without further complications,” she wrote. “Also, let’s keep the donor and their family in our thoughts. This will be a significant change for Ben, but we are grateful that his other organs are functioning well and that there’s a way forward.”

Earlier, Amy had revealed on June 7 that the father of three had developed pneumonia due to a staphylococcal infection.

In her latest update, she expressed hope that Ben would soon be able to interact more effectively and even respond to messages on his phone. “Yesterday, he kept trying to say ‘coffee,’ even though he’s not allowed to have it yet,” Amy shared. “It’s such a relief to see him craving something so normal. I truly can’t wait to have him back with us. We’re also incredibly thankful for the amazing community that has reached out, many of whom we haven’t spoken to in over two decades, who are sharing their own stories and supporting us with prayers.”

Ben Askren represented the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later transitioned into a successful martial arts career. He fought with organizations including Bellator MMA and One Championship. In 2018, he was involved in a notable trade between One Championship and the UFC, moving to the UFC in exchange for Demetrious Johnson.

He retired with an impressive record of 19 wins and 2 losses after undergoing surgery in October 2019 following his final UFC bout against Demian Maia.