Alabama A&M Linebacker Medrick Burnett Dies After Head Injury
The 20-year-old was injured from a head-on collision and has passed away after being hospitalized for a month.
UPDATED 11/29, 6:20 p.m. ET: Alabama A&M football player Medrick Burnett Jr. has died. The coroner in Jefferson County listed his official time of death as Wednesday evening on Nov. 27.
The confirmation arrives after the college retracted confirmation of his death on the same day, at the request of a representative at the hospital Burnett Jr. was staying at.
See original story below.
Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. remains hospitalized, despite a previous statement from the school earlier today, which said he had passed away.
According to ESPN, the school issued the initial statement after receiving word of Burnett's death from an "immediate family member on Tuesday evening."
"Our staff acted accordingly to the wishes of the family member to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate occurrence," the statement reads. "Upon hearing from a representative from UAB Hospital this afternoon, we learned that he remains alive."
"We express our immediate regret for disseminating false information. However, we hold complete joy in knowing that Medrick remains in stable condition."
The statement from Alabama A&M athletic director Paul A. Bryant announcing Burnett's passing has been taken down.
Burnett transferred to Alabama A&M from Grambling State over the summer and played seven games with the Bulldogs this season. The redshirt freshman was playing against Alabama State in the annual Magic City Classic on Oct. 26 when he was injured from a "head-on-head collision," according to a GoFundMe, organized by his sister Dominece.
Burnett spent the following day in the ICU, which was also his 20th birthday.
"He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain," an update to the GoFundMe page disclosed. "He had to have a tube to drain to relieve the pressure, and after 2 days of severe pressure, we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was the last resort to help try to save his life."
Dominece issued the following statement on the GoFundMe today: "Please pray he is having a tough time but we are holding on til the very end. God give us strength so we can keep the faith."
