Alabama A&M football star Medrick Burnett Jr. dies a day after the team prematurely announced his death

Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. has died just hours after his death was falsely announced in a statement released by the college.

According to a coroner’s report, Burnett, 20, was pronounced dead at 5:43 p.m. Wednesday. Earlier in the morning, Alabama A&M announced Burnett’s death, but the press release was later retracted after the university learned he was still alive and on life support.

“Our staff honored the family member’s wishes to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate incident,” Alabama A&M said. “When we heard from a UAB Hospital representative this afternoon, we learned he was still alive.

The college said it wanted to express its “immediate regret for the spread of false information.”

The college football player was injured on October 26 while playing in a game against Alabama State at Legion Field. The injury occurred just a day before his 20th birthday.

His sister Dominece Burnett had set up a GoFundMe before his death to cover her brother’s expenses. The family learned that Burnett had suffered “multiple brain bleeds and brain swelling” as a result of his injury.

“Medrick Burnett Jr., aka “Meddy,” who plays college football for Alabama AAMU #51, played in the Magic City game on October 26, 2024 and was seriously injured after a head-on collision during the game. “, it says on the page.

On Wednesday, shortly before his death, his sister posted an update on the page asking for prayers as Burnett was “going through a difficult time, but we’ll persevere until the end.”

“God give us strength to keep the faith,” she wrote.

According to information, Burnett is from Lakewood, California, and played seven games for Alabama A&M this season Bleacher Report. He was in his first full year with the team after transferring from Grambling State.