The death of Alabama A&M football player Medrick Burnett Jr. has been confirmed following complications from a head injury sustained during an October 26 game against Alabama State.
Burnett, a redshirt freshman linebacker, passed away at 5:43 p.m. on Wednesday, the Jefferson County coroner’s office confirmed to CBS News on Friday.
Burnett had been hospitalized at UAB Hospital since the incident. While the exact cause of death has not been disclosed, his passing marks a tragic loss for the football community.
Hailing from Lakewood, California, Burnett began his college football career at Grambling State University before transferring to Alabama A&M. According to the school’s athletics website, he played in seven games this season, recording five tackles, including three in a game against Austin Peay.
In a prior misstep, Alabama A&M prematurely announced Burnett’s death on Tuesday evening, only to retract the statement hours later. The university attributed the error to information provided by an immediate family member, stating it acted on the family’s wishes to inform the public. However, by Wednesday afternoon, the school clarified that Burnett was still alive after confirming his condition with hospital representatives.
“We express our immediate regret for disseminating false information; however, we hold complete joy in knowing that Medrick remains in stable condition,” the athletic department said in the retracted statement.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support Burnett and his family had raised over $48,000 as of Friday. Medrick Burnett Jr. passed away at the age of 20, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance and dedication.
