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College football can be a dangerous game. Too often, players, fans and coaches are reminded of how violent and tragic the sport can be.
Medrick Burnett Jr., a redshirt freshman linebacker for Alabama A&M, died on Tuesday after injuries he suffered in a game against Alabama State on Oct. 26, the university announced Wednesday morning.
According to a GoFundMe Post organized by Burnett’s sister, Dominece, he was “severely injured” in that game in a head-on-head collision. His sister added that Burnett had suffered “several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain.” The GoFundMe had raised north of $26,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Today, our Bulldog family is heartbroken by the loss of Medrick Burnett Jr.,” Alabama A&M Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant said. “Medrick was more than an exceptional athlete; he was a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. While words cannot adequately express our grief, we are humbled by the strength of his family, who stood by his side throughout this unimaginable ordeal.”
Alabama A&M Mourns the Passing of Medrick Burnetthttps://t.co/pfgq3TIdWq
— Alabama A&M Athletics (@_AAMUAthletics) November 27, 2024
Burnett, a 6-foot-2 native of Lakewood, California, played at Mayfair High School and began his college football career at Grambling State University before transferring to Alabama A&M.
He played in seven games for the Bulldogs this season and made three tackles in a game at Austin Peay.
Bulldogs’ coach Connell Maynor wore a shirt with Burnett’s No. 51 on it during Alabama A&M’s win over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.
Update (Nov. 27)
Alabama A&M has issued a retraction, saying Burnett is still alive and in stable condition at a hospital in Birmingham. The school says the initial news of Burnett’s death came from an “immediate family member” Tuesday night.
“We express our immediate regret for disseminating false information,” the school said in a statement, “however, we hold complete joy in knowing that Medrick remains in stable condition.”
Update (Nov. 29):
Burnett has reportedly passed away. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday evening by Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Matt Angelo.
