Tennessee legislators pay tribute to Navy player Will McKamey
Members of the Tennessee state legislature honored Navy football player Will McKamey on Thursday, two days after he died after collapsing at a Navy practice Saturday.
McKamey, a slotback, had a blood clot in his brain and passed away after spending three days in a coma.
Senators watched a video of McKamey's life and said a prayer in his honor after Republican Sen. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge, Tenn. made a speech at the opening of the legislative session. McKamey was Tennessee's "Mr. Football" as a high school senior in 2012.
McNally also filed a measure to designate a section of Oak Ridge Highway in Knoxville, Tenn., in his honor. Knox County, Tenn. Mayor Tim Burchett wrote a letter to McNally on Wednesday endorsing the move.
“I just thought it would be a nice tribute,” Burchett told Knoxnews.com. “Now people driving to church or school for years to come will see that (sign with McKamey’s name) and, hopefully, they’ll want to emulate him.”
The stretch of highway goes in front of McKamey's high school. The motion to name it for McKamey was added as an amendment to an existing senate bill that is scheduled to be voted on next week.
McKamey accumulated over 2,000 combined yards and 28 touchdowns at Grace Christian in 2012. He collapsed in the team's final regular season game and was airlifted to the hospital. After doctors couldn't find the cause of the issue in high school, he was cleared to play after sitting out football for nine months.
His funeral will be held Monday, March 31 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville. The family asks that donations can be made to Grace Baptist and the Live Like Will Foundation, which will assist individuals with Cerebral Palsy.
- - - - - - -
is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg