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Incoming Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets college football freshman Bryce Gowdy has died following an incident where he was struck by a freight train. It occurred Monday morning in Gowdy’s hometown of Deerfield Beach, Florida, ESPN’s Andrea Adelson reported.
A preliminary incident report by the Broward Sheriff’s Office stated that at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, Gowdy was hit by a train and rushed to Broward Health North Hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Gowdy, who played wide receiver and was an incoming freshman to the Georgia Tech program, was just 17.
Bryce Gowdy’s Death Being Investigated
Though it was revealed that Gowdy was struck by the train, ESPN explains the cause and manner of the death have not yet been determined. Broward County’s medical examiner’s office will determine the official cause of death. However, Broward Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives are investigating the incident as well currently.
Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins took to the media to mourn Gowdy’s death and offer condolences to the family.
“Our entire Georgia Tech football family is devastated by the news of Bryce’s passing…Bryce was an outstanding young man with a very bright future. He was a great friend to many, including many of our current and incoming team members. On behalf of our coaches, players, staff and families, we offer our deepest condolences to Bryce’s mother, Shibbon, and his brothers, Brisai and Brayden, as well as the rest of his family members, his teammates and coaches at Deerfield Beach High School, and his many friends. Bryce and his family will always be a part of the Georgia Tech football family.”
Gowdy Was a Star High School Football Player
Gowdy was a standout wide receiver during his career at Deerfield Beach High School. ESPN rated Gowdy as a four-star recruit and the 64th best wide receiver in the class of 2020.
Other rankings featured the 6-foot-2 wide receiver as the No. 54 (247Sports) and No. 37 (Rivals) best incoming player at his position. He was set to join Georgia Tech in the spring along with his high school quarterback Jeff Sims, who had also committed to the Yellow Jackets earlier this month.
The former Deerfield Beach High School quarterback was among the many people who took to social media to mourn Gowdy’s death. The Deerfield Beach High School football team Twitter account also posted a message about its former player with the hashtag #BelieveIn7, which references Gowdy’s jersey number.
Gowdy’s death is the second devastating tragedy to strike the Georgia Tech football team in under a year. Brandon Adams, a 21-year old defensive lineman, died in March after collapsing near campus and being taken by friends to a local hospital. Adams was practicing step dancing with his friends at a townhouse near campus when during a water break, the defensive lineman collapsed, struck his head and began to convulse, per Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After he was rushed him to the hospital, Adams was pronounced dead shortly after.
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