An Army West Point sophomore died in a single-car accident Sunday, a day after he'd started in the Black Knights' defensive backfield during the team's win over Rice.
Brandon T. Jackson, 20, was following the footsteps of his mother, an Army Reserve member and Iraq War veteran, into service, according to a condolence letter by U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen. The Queens, New York, native attended the USMA Preparatory School for a year before entering the academy, cracking the football team's starting lineup as a freshman in 2015.
"Words cannot describe the grief that our team is feeling over the loss of our brother and friend, Brandon," head coach Jeff Monken said in a news release. "He was a beloved teammate and our hearts are with his family at this time of tragedy."
The crash is under investigation. News 12 Hudson Valley reported that Jackson's car hit a guardrail and flipped on Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson, about 30 minutes south of West Point.
"We will honor his life as we mourn the untimely death of a young man who had a promising future as a leader in service to our nation." Caslen said in the release. "Brandon internalized our watch words, Duty, Honor, Country."
Reports of Jackson's death began circulating online late Sunday evening. A number of program supporters and team members expressed grief and condolences via social media.
Jackson started in both of Army's wins this season and recorded two solo tackles and one assist in Army's 31-14 victory over Rice on Saturday at West Point.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
