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Navy offensive lineman Forney dies at 22

Field Level Media

February 22, 2020 at 3:55 pm.

Navy senior offensive lineman David Forney died after being found unresponsive in his dorm room, Naval Academy officials confirmed Saturday. He was 22.

A fellow Midshipman found the Walkersville, Md., native late Thursday night and he was transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:28 p.m. ET.

The cause of death has not been announced.

“Words cannot express our pain and sorrow,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said in a statement. “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.”

A three-year letter winner, Forney started all 13 games at guard in 2019 as Navy set a school record and led the nation with 360.5 rushing yards per game. He made the American Athletic Conference First Team and ended his career with a streak of 39 consecutive games played.

“He was an all-time great Navy offensive lineman, but he was so much more than that,” offensive line coach Ashley Ingram said. “He was the heartbeat behind this season’s record-breaking offense. He loved football, his teammates and the Naval Academy. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on.”

Forney, who was scheduled to graduate on May 22, is survived by his parents and three siblings.