Georgetown Prep Grad, Football Star Dies At Naval Academy

BETHESDA, MD — U.S. Navy football offensive lineman David Forney died Thursday night after he was found unresponsive in his dorm room, according to Naval Academy officials.

Forney, a 22-year-old Georgetown Preparatory School graduate, was discovered unresponsive in his room at Bancroft Hall by a fellow midshipman. A CPR-certified midshipman administered resuscitation efforts and he was taken to emergency responders to Anne Arundel County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Officials say the senior was the second midshipman to die this month at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. The cause of death is being investigated; and foul play is not suspected.

"Words cannot express our pain and sorrow," said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo. "First and foremost, our deepest condolences to the Forney family. The Navy Football Brotherhood is not a team, we are a family. We are devastated to have lost one of our brothers. We all loved – and will always love – David. We pray for strength during this most difficult time."

Forney started all 13 games at guard for Midshipmen, led the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in rushing with 360.5 yards per game, and was named all-conference in the American Athletic Conference.

"There is no tighter bond or commitment to each other than found within the Navy football family. To lose a brother is devastating to these young men who grow closer every minute during their four years at the Academy," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "We are a community that is in emotional pain today."

Forney, a political science major, was assigned to commission as a cryptologic warfare officer this May, officials said. He is survived by his parents — Rick and Erika Forney — younger brothers — Chris and Erik — and sister — Rebekah.