On Tuesday, Air Force football player Hunter Brown of Lake Charles, Louisiana, suffered a medical emergency on his way to class Monday and passed away at the age of 21, the academy announced.
A sophomore, and center for the Falcons, was on his way to class from his dorm room when he collapsed. Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, the school said.
“Hunter was a standout offensive lineman on the Falcon football team and was well-respected in his squadron,” wrote Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent in a statement. “The entire U.S. Air Force Academy mourns his loss, and our hearts and condolences are with his family, his squadron, and all who were touched by this incredible young man.”
Brig. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Commander of Cadets added, “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness I share with you that we have lost one of our own. He leaves behind friends, grieving teammates, a grieving cadet wing, and a devastated family.”
Brown had been a member of the Falcons team for the last two seasons. He was a management major, minoring in French. He was assigned to Cadet Squadron 16.
“Our players, staff and entire Academy have been so blessed and fortunate to have Hunter as a part of our lives. He was a pure joy to coach and have as a teammate,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said in a statement. “He was tough, a great worker, and no one unselfishly pulled harder for others than Hunter. His mom and dad, Candyce and Dustin, raised a wonderful son who made each of us a better person. We love our great brother, and our thoughts and prayers are with Hunter’s incredible soul and his family.”
Prior to attending the Air Force Academy, Brown had attended Barbe High School in Louisiana, where he played football as well as baseball.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of one of our favorite sons. Hunter Brown was a force on and off the field,” wrote the Twitter account for his football team. “Please join the Buc Family in prayer for all who loved him.”
“We are gonna miss you #40,” the Twitter account for his baseball team added. “We will never forget that walk off homerun back in 2018 to send us to the state tournament. A great young man, lost way too soon.”
Officials for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death, saying that an investigation is standard protocol for any on-base death.
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