Leon Bender (August 8, 1975 – May 30, 1998) was an American football defensive tackle, was selected in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft (31st overall) by the Oakland Raiders.

[5] Six weeks after the draft, Bender unexpectedly died at age 22 before gaining the opportunity to play an NFL game.

He was found dead in the home of sports agent Terry Bolar in Marietta, Georgia,[5][6][7][8] northwest of Atlanta.

He had signed a five-year, $3.45 million contract a few weeks earlier,[6] and was in Georgia to train for an upcoming Raiders' mini-camp.

Bender had been previously diagnosed with epilepsy, known by Washington State and the Raiders, but not publicized; his Cougar teammates were not aware of it.