David R. Forney Obituary: Navy Football Remembers Fallen Midshipman Through No. 68 Tradition

David R. Forney remains remembered within the U.S. Naval Academy and Navy football community years after his unexpected death in 2020.

Forney, a Walkersville, Maryland, native, was 22 when he died on February 20, 2020. He had been a senior offensive lineman on Navy’s 2019 football team and a three-year varsity letter winner.

His name continues to be honored through a Navy football tradition that keeps his No. 68 jersey in the hands of a senior offensive lineman each season.

A Strong Final Season With Navy

Forney played 39 consecutive games during his final three seasons with the Midshipmen and started all 13 games at guard during the 2019 campaign.

That Navy team finished with 11 victories and collected the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The Midshipmen also shared the American Athletic Conference West Division title and finished the season with a Liberty Bowl victory.

Forney earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference and first-team All-East honors for his performance.

The Navy offensive line was part of a historic rushing attack that averaged 360.5 yards per game during the 2019 season, a school record that also led the nation.

Away from football, Forney studied political science and was a member of the Naval Academy’s Ninth Company. He had been preparing for a career as a cryptologic warfare officer following graduation.

What Is Known About His Death

Forney died on February 20, 2020, after he was found unresponsive in Bancroft Hall at the Naval Academy.

The official Navy information referenced in the available account does not state a confirmed cause of death. No specific cause has therefore been attributed to his passing.

Navy Continues the No. 68 Tribute

Forney’s connection to Navy football has continued through the No. 68 jersey tradition.

The Academy began awarding the number to a senior offensive lineman in 2021 in his memory. In July 2026, Navy announced that senior offensive guard Hoke Smith II would wear No. 68 for the 2026 season.

Smith followed previous recipients including Pierce Banbury, Kip Frankland, Lirion Murtezi, Connor McMahon and Ben Purvis.

The tradition provides a continuing connection between Forney’s ti