Medrick Burnett Jr., a 20-year-old linebacker for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, passed away Wednesday after being hospitalized for injuries sustained in October’s Magic City Classic.
Burnett was carted off the field during the October 26 Magic City Classic in Birmingham after a head-on collision with another player. He has remained in UAB hospital since then.
Burnett was a redshirt freshman from Lakewood, Calif. He transferred to Alabama A&M from Grambling State in Louisiana.
On Wednesday, the school’s athletic department sent out a retraction to correct its own report that Burnett had died just hours before. The coroner listed Burnett’s time of death as 5:43 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to the last update on a GoFundMe started by Burnett’s sister, Dominece James said on Wednesday: “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.”
The school’s athletic department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from 1819 News, likely due to the planned game scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The sister’s GoFundMe, which has collected over $47,000, detailed the treatment of Burnett’s injuries, including multiple brain bleeds, brain swelling, and finally a craniotomy.
According to the GoFundMe, the money was to allow Burnett’s parents and other family to come to Alabama from California to be with him and take care of him during his hospitalization. Thus far, the family has not released a statement on Burnett’s passing.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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