Alabama A&M initially declared the death of Medrick Burnett Jr., but later corrected the statement.
According to the Daily Caller, Alabama A&M University retracted its earlier announcement that redshirt freshman linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. had died from complications following a severe head injury, stating he is alive.
On Wednesday, Alabama A&M made a heartbreaking announcement that Medrick Burnett Jr. had passed away due to a severe head injury incurred last month. The statement detailed his tragic struggle after a game on October 26 against Alabama State where he sustained critical injuries.
The press release initially claimed that after a series of brain bleeds and swelling diagnosed in an intensive care unit, the promising athlete had succumbed to his injuries.
This news was disseminated across social networks, leading to an outpouring of grief from the college football community. Responses included a heartfelt tweet from @_MLFootball mourning the loss of the 20-year-old linebacker.
However, the university quickly corrected the death announcement after it re-established contact with Medrick Burnett Jr.'s immediate family and learned that the earlier information was mistaken.
In relation, the school promptly issued a revised statement clarifying that Burnett was still alive, although severely injured.
This error appears to have stemmed from a tragic miscommunication that occurred following conversations with a family member on Tuesday evening before the initial announcement.
Dr. Paul A. Bryant, from Alabama A&M, expressed profound sorrow over the confusion. His earlier statement underlined the emotional weight of the situation:
Today, our Bulldog family is heartbroken by the loss of Medrick Burnett Jr. Medrick was more than an exceptional athlete; he was a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. While words cannot adequately express our grief, we are humbled by the strength of his family, who stood by his side throughout this unimaginable ordeal.
From Lakewood, California, Medrick Burnett Jr. transferred from Grambling State to Alabama A&M along with Cedric Thornton, a former coach who joined Alabama A&M's staff as a defensive coordinator. Before the accident, Burnett had participated in seven games during the 2024 season, managing five tackles in total.
In response to his situation, Burnett's sister, Dominece James, initiated a GoFundMe campaign shortly after his injury to help with medical and related costs. The football and local community have shown strong support in light of these recent events.
The school’s updated statement sought to offer comfort following the distress caused by the mistaken announcement:
We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Medrick’s parents, siblings, and loved ones. We also offer our heartfelt support to his teammates, coaches, and the entire Alabama A&M community who are mourning this loss. In this moment of sorrow, we come together to honor Medrick’s legacy and celebrate the light he brought to our lives. May we all draw strength from one another as we navigate this difficult time.
To conclude, while Alabama A&M University had to retract its initial statement about the passing of Medrick Burnett Jr., it serves as a poignant reminder of the challenging times that both he and his family continue to face. As Burnett fights for recovery, his university, team, and supporters stand firmly beside him, hopeful for positive news in the coming days.
