Navy Football Player Dies After Collapsing at Practice

March 26, 2014— -- A Naval Academy football player died Tuesday, three days after collapsing at the team’s spring football practice, the school announced.

Will McKamey was 19 years old.

The freshman running back from Knoxville, Tenn., was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Unit in Baltimore and died with his family by his side.

McKamey previously suffered a serious head injury in 2012 while playing for his high school, but he did not require surgery.

Naval Academy football coach Ken Niumatalolo expressed sadness in a statement released by the school.

“As our Navy football family mourns the loss of one of our brothers, we also celebrate and honor his life. He loved his family, his friends and his teammates. The Brotherhood loves you! Keep the ball ‘high and tight’ in Heaven,” Niumatalolo said.