Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. dead at 20, weeks after head injury

Alabama A&M’s Medrick Burnett Jr. died at age 20 on Wednesday night after suffering a head injury in a football game in October, Jefferson County deputy coroner AJ Clifton confirmed with The Athletic on Friday.

The redshirt freshman linebacker suffered a head injury during the Bulldogs’ 27-19 loss to Alabama State, their in-state rival, on Oct. 26 during the Magic City Classic.

Clifton declined to give any further information to the outlet; however, a news release is expected to be given on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the university did confirm the death of its student; however, it withdrew the statement just hours later after hearing from UAB Hospital that he remained alive.

Alabama A&M said it was “originally advised by an immediate family member on Tuesday evening” about the 6-foot-2, 225-pound freshman.

“We retract the news of the passing of Medrick Burnette Jr, that was originally advised by an immediate family member on Tuesday evening,” the university’s athletic department posted on X. “Our staff acted accordingly to the wishes of the family member to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate occurrence. 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.”

A GoFundMe started by Burnett’s family says the linebacker was “severely injured after a head-on-head collision” in October, which fell just a day before his 20th birthday.

“He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain,” the family also wrote. “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.”

As of Friday night, the family had raised over $51,000 of a $100,000 goal.

On Wednesday, the GoFundMe organizer and Burnett’s oldest sister, Dominece James, posted the latest update on the page, saying “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.”

Burnett initially played for Grambling State in Louisiana before transferring to Alabama A&M.

The Lakewood, California native had five tackles across seven games of the Bulldogs’ 6-6 season.