Navy RB who collapsed has brain injury; family says he faces 'long road' ahead

Published Mar. 24, 2014 10:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

The family of Navy running back Will McKamey says their son faces a ''long road'' ahead after he was hospitalized with a brain injury.

McKamey collapsed during spring practice Saturday and was immediately transported to a hospital.

His family said in a statement released through the school on Monday the injury was not the result of a particularly hard hit. The statement said: ''Will did not sustain a bad hit or unusual or extreme contact. ... The Navy coaches have pored through the films of practice and seen nothing more than Will carrying the football normally, doing what he truly loves.''

The family says, ''We are in for a long road.''

McKamey was hospitalized in 2012 with a brain injury but was cleared to play after seeing four neurosurgeons and undergoing several CAT scans and MRIs, his family said.