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France Ben Cohen is a former English rugby union player and World Cup winner who has become a prominent activist against bullying and homophobia.
Ben Cohen partnered with men's underwear brand Bluebuck to design limited edition underwear in support of his StandUp Foundation.
The clothing brand Aubin styled a photoshoot for Ben Cohen, celebrating British design.
Nike supported Ben Cohen's StandUp Foundation, which he stated would help tackle homophobia in sport.
Huawei enlisted Ben Cohen in their StorySign campaign, an app aimed at improving literacy rates among deaf children.
The big and tall menswear specialist, High and Mighty, appointed Ben Cohen as the new face of their brand for 2011.
Ben Christopher Cohen, born on September 14, 1978, in Northampton, England, began his rugby career at Northampton Old Scouts RFC at age 12. He later joined Northampton Saints in 1996, making his first-team debut in the 1996/97 season. During his time with Northampton, he played a key role in the team’s victory in the 2000 Heineken Cup Final. Cohen’s career progressed through significant milestones, including his debut for the England national rugby union team in February 2000, where he scored two tries in the Six Nations Championship against Ireland. He was part of the England squad that famously won the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing in all but one of England’s matches during the tournament. His main position throughout his career was winger, and at the time of his retirement, he was third in the list of all-time England try scorers.
After a distinguished career with Northampton, Cohen moved to France in 2007 to play for Brive, where he remained until 2009. He then returned to England to join Sale Sharks, signing a two-year contract. During his tenure with Sale Sharks, he played in over 50 matches and contributed to developing young players. In May 2011, Cohen announced his retirement from professional rugby to dedicate his efforts to The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which he founded to combat bullying and homophobia. This transition marked a significant turning point in his life, shifting his focus from professional sport to social activism.
Beyond his rugby career, Cohen has actively engaged in public advocacy. He is clinically deaf, with a 30-33% hearing loss in each ear, and has used his platform to advocate for accessibility in sports for the hard of hearing. His activism quickly earned him recognition as a gay icon, appearing on the covers of *Compete Magazine* and *Out* magazine in 2011. In 2013, he was inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, acknowledging his contributions to LGBTQ+ rights. He has also made various television appearances, including *Strictly Come Dancing* and *The Jump*, further raising his public profile.
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