Georgia Tech signee Bryce Gowdy dies days before enrolling

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech signee Bryce Gowdy, a talented wide receiver prospect from Deerfield Beach, Fla., died early Monday morning when he was struck by a freight train. He was 17.

After graduating from Deerfield Beach High in December, Gowdy was to enroll early and begin his first semester at Tech Jan. 6. He had signed his letter of intent with Tech Dec. 18. Only Sunday evening, he had sent out a tweet reading “Family matters, can’t wait to get to the ATL soon!”

Gowdy was struck by a train around 4 a.m. in Deerfield Beach, about 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Gowdy was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died. The fatality is under investigation by both the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County medical examiner’s office.

In a tweet and on the Tech website, coach Geoff Collins offered a statement on Gowdy’s passing.

“Our entire Georgia Tech football family is devastated by the news of Bryce’s passing,” Collins’ statement read. “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.”

It is a tragic development for coach Geoff Collins’ team, which suffered the death of team member Brandon Adams this past March.

After signing his letter of intent Dec. 18, Gowdy was to enroll in January. Only Sunday evening, he had sent out a tweet reading “Family matters, can’t wait to get to the ATL soon!”

Gowdy was considered among the top prospects in of Collins’ highly touted signing class.

He had helped lead Deerfield Beach High to 30 wins in the past three seasons, including an appearance in the state semifinals as a junior. He was considered a four-star prospect and was rated one of the top-25 signees in Tech history.

Gowdy’s loved ones have started a GoFundMe account to cover his funeral expenses.

More information will be published as it becomes available. This article was written by Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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