Alabama A&M player dies weeks after suffering injury in game

In early October, Alabama A&M football player Medrick Burnett Jr. suffered a head injury during a rivalry game against Alabama State, leading to his hospitalization and tragic death last Wednesday.

On Friday, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed the death of Burnett Jr., a 20-year-old redshirt freshman linebacker. The young star died at 5:43 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th at UAB Hospital. The exact cause of death was not revealed.

Dominece James, his older sister, started a GoFundMe to raise support and awareness after her brother’s serious head collision.

Burnett Jr. had to spend his 20th birthday in the intensive care unit, where he suffered multiple brain bleeds and massive swelling of his brain. According to James, “He needed a drainage tube to relieve the pressure and after two days of severe pressure we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was a last resort to try to save his life.”

Tribute to Alabama A&M Athletic Director

Dr. Paul Bryant, Alabama A&M Athletic Director, expressed his condolences: “He was a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership and compassion left an indelible impression on everyone who knew him.” Although words cannot adequately express our sadness “We are humbled by the strength of his family who stood by him during this unimaginable ordeal.”

Alabama A&M sent a revocation letter

After announcing his death Wednesday morning, the Alabama A&M athletic department issued a retraction letter the same day. In the letter, they stated that the first report of his death was made by an immediate family member on Tuesday morning.

Alabama A&M officials claimed they responded to the family member’s wishes and withdrew the original lawsuit after learning from a UAB Hospital representative that Burnett Jr. was still alive. In addition, they “immediately expressed regret for the spread of false information.”

Burnett Jr. began his college career at Grambling State University and then transferred to Alabama A&M over the summer. Although Burnett Jr. was new to the team, he proved to be an influential player, playing in seven games and making five tackles.