While taking his lumps in the media for letting go of an insubordinate jackass, Chip Kelly is traveling the country visiting more pro days than, like, anyone ever. His travels took him to Annapolis last Saturday, where he stopped by a Navy football practice. While there, Chip made Will McKamey, a Navy football player who recently passed away after collapsing at practice, an honory Philadelphia Eagle.
From the Capital Gazette, via Bleeding Green Nation:
The highlight of the visit came at the end when Kelly announced that he was making Will McKamey an honorary member of the Philadelphia Eagles. McKamey, a the freshman slotback, died on March 26, three days after collapsing during a Navy spring practice.
Kelly presented Niumatalolo with a No. 41 Philadelphia Eagle jersey that had the name McKamey stenciled in bold letters on the back. The Tennessee native, who never came out of a coma after undergoing cranial surgery to relieve swelling and bleeding on the brain, wore No. 41 during during his short time as a member of the Navy football team.
“It really means a lot that someone of Chip Kelly’s stature would take the time to come to Annapolis and honor Will in that way,” said Niumatalolo, adding that the jersey would be shipped to the Knoxville home of Randy and Kara McKamey. “That Coach Kelly wanted to do something special on behalf of Will, something to uplift his family, shows what a class act he is.”
More notably, it appears there wasn’t any sort of PR push around this. Just Chip doing an unconventional and nice thing.
Warm that heart, Chip.
