Alabama College Football Player Dies Just a Month After His 20th Birthday — Details

The football industry is mourning the unexpected death of a young player, Medrick Burnett Jr., who suffered an injury a month prior during a match in Birmingham. His sister had created a fundraiser in the hope of aiding his recovery.

In October 2024, Medrick Burnett Jr., an Alabama college football player, was hospitalized after sustaining a head injury during a game. Tragically, on November 27, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his death.

The County Coroner’s Office stated that the 20-year-old athlete passed away at 5:43 p.m. Burnett Jr. died at a local Birmingham hospital, with the office adding, “All questions pertaining to the death should be made to the Alabama A&M University.”

The coroner reported that the football player was injured on October 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Legion Field in Birmingham. They confirmed that he “received an injury while playing in the Magic City Classic football game.”

Burnett Jr. sustained a severe head injury during an Alabama A&M kickoff play while attempting to stop the runner during a pileup. He was carried off the field on a stretcher but managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd, signaling signs of life as he exited.

His death followed an earlier retracted death announcement by his school, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU). The university initially announced his passing but later corrected the misinformation.

At the time, the school clarified that Medrick Burnett Jr. was alive and hospitalized in Birmingham. The false announcement reportedly stemmed from information provided by an immediate family member on the evening of November 26.

The university apologized for the mistake and expressed relief at Burnett Jr.’s continued fight for recovery. While he was hospitalized, his sister, Dominece James, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000 for his care.

James shared that her brother endured a difficult birthday on October 27, as he was in the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition. She said, “He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain,” requiring a tube to drain his brain and relieve the pressure.

The late athlete’s sister explained further, “After two days of severe pressure, we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was the last resort to help try to save his life.” James mentioned that the funds would be used to support Burnett Jr., whose family lived out of state.

The family would have needed financial assistance for accommodations, hospital bills, and other necessities while supporting him. Over 60% of the goal was achieved, with more than $60,500 donated by over 1,100 contributors.

Burnett Jr.’s former coach at Grambling State University, Hue Jackson, supported the fundraiser, writing on Instagram, “A football coaches [sic] worst nightmare… a player that is seriously injured while playing the game he loves.”

Jackson shared that he and Coach Kenny Delgado recruited the athlete from California in 2023 before entrusting him to AAMU’s Coach Cedric...