Navy sprint receiver killed in Philadelphia Amtrak crash

Published May. 14, 2015 12:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

Justin Zemser, a wide receiver on the Navy "sprint" football team, was one of seven confirmed deaths in the Tuesday Amtrak crash in Philadelphia.

The Navy sprint team is for players lighter than 172 pounds and is separate from the Division I football team.

Zemser, 20, had just completed his second year at the Naval Academy and was traveling from Annapolis, Maryland, home to Queens, New York, his mother told the New York Daily News.

"He was supposed to come last night at 10:30," Susan Zemser said. "When I went online to see, you know, (to see) if everything was on time, it said there was a derailment and then it was all plastered on TV."

"He was a hardworking, disciplined, honorable young man," Victor Nazario, Zemser's high school football coach, told the Daily News. "There was so much to like. There's not a single negative thing I could think to say about him."

Zemser had expressed interest in going into politics and interned for New York City Councilman Eric Ulrich. New York Senator Chuck Schumer nominated Zemser for the Naval Academy.

"He was a tremendous young man," Schumer said. "He stood out among countless applications. He was valedictorian of his class and volunteered at a community church program. He was a big brother and mentor to two children with autism. He was totally well-rounded. I mourn the loss for his family. He would have served his country extremely well."