Navy slotback Will McKamey, who passed away on March 26, three days after collapsing during a Midshipmen spring football practice, is now an honorary member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Eagles coach Chip Kelly visited Navy practice last Saturday and made the announcement to the team.
“It really means a lot that someone of Chip Kelly’s stature would take the time to come to Annapolis and honor Will in that way,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “That Coach Kelly wanted to do something special on behalf of Will, something to uplift his family, shows what a class act he is.”
Kelly presented Niumatalolo with a No. 41 Eagles jersey that had McKamey’s name on the back. McKamey wore No. 41 for the Midshipmen. The jersey will ultimately be shipped to McKamey’s parents in Knoxville, Tenn.
McKamey, a sophomore, was going through normal football drills when he collapsed. He was immediately airlifted to Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he underwent surgery to relieve bleeding and swelling in his brain. During surgery, McKamey slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness.
McKamey’s death sparked a Twitter movement where friends, family and coworkers honored him with the hashtag #livelikeWill.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter Follow @YahooDrSaturday
