Football player McKamey, 19, dies after brain injury

Information from WYSH Radio

Late Tuesday night, the U.S. Naval Academy athletic department announced that 19-year-old freshman running back Will McKamey died on Tuesday, three days after collapsing during spring football practice. McKamey was flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center following the incident and underwent surgery to treat brain swelling and a blood clot over the weekend. He remained in a coma until he passed away Tuesday afternoon.

His parents, Kara and Randy McKamey, were very active on social media since Will went to the hospital, updating friends, family and complete strangers on the condition of their son. The online support drew attention from all over the country and the world as prayers were offered up for Will and his family, and his story was reported on by several national media outlets.

Randy McKamey was his son’s coach at Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville and also coached football at Clinton Middle School for several years.

Will McKamey won the state Mr. Football Back of the Year award in 2012, his senior season at Grace, and was majoring in oceanography at the Naval Academy. In his final high school game, he suffered a brain injury that ended his high school career and kept him in the hospital for several days but never needed surgery during his stay.

His parents, via social media, said earlier this week that they had taken Will to four different neurosurgeons and had multiple tests run to determine if he would be able to play football again. All of those doctors cleared him for contact, and Kara McKamey wrote earlier in the week that “I want to be clear that the Navy football program nor us as his parents would have ever allowed him to be in a dangerous situation.”

Navy coaches said they have reviewed the film from Saturday’s practice and were unable to find a tackle or other hit that could have caused Will to collapse. The McKameys have strong family ties in Clinton and Anderson County and all of us here at WYSH, WGAP and Merle FM would like to offer our sincerest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to his family and friends. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but we will pass them along to you when they are announced.

(From www.navysports.com) Midshipman Fourth Class (freshman) Will McKamey, 19, of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away while in a coma Tuesday at Baltimore Shock Trauma.

The death comes three days after Midshipman McKamey collapsed during football practice on Saturday morning. Since then, his family has been at his bedside, and they have been overwhelmed with support from classmates, teammates, coaching staff, and Naval Academy leadership.

“We are all so very heartbroken by the death of Midshipman Will McKamey,” said Naval Academy Superintendent VADM Mike Miller. “This is devastating news for his family, his classmates, his teammates, and the entire Naval Academy family. We offer our deepest condolences to Will’s family, friends, and shipmates in the wake of this tragedy.”

Midshipman McKamey was an oceanography major in Third Company, and he was member of the varsity football team.

“During this most difficult of times, first and foremost, our prayers and thoughts turn to Randy, Kara, and their beautiful family,” said Ken Niumatalolo, USNA Head Football Coach. “Our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to their entire family and friends. 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.”

Funeral arrangements are pending, and more information will be provided as it becomes available. The Naval Academy will continue to support Will’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time of grief. Grief counseling services and support are available to midshipmen, faculty and staff through chains of command, our chaplains, and the Midshipmen Development Center.

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