In a statement removed from the school’s website, Alabama A&M officials revealed the passing of football player Medrick Burnett Jr. on Wednesday. However, his family informed WFAF, an NBC News station, that the player is still in the hospital.
According to HBCU officials, the 20-year-old sustained a head injury during a game four weeks ago.
We will release a statement regarding our experiences when the time is appropriate. Denise Burnett, the mother of Burnett Jr., told the station.
When the Bulldogs faced rival Alabama State in the yearly gridiron matchup known as the Magic City Classic, which pits the largest and most renowned HBCUs in that state against one another, the redshirt freshman linebacker sustained an injury on October 26.
Burnett transferred from Grambling to Alabama A&M and participated in seven games this season. On September 21, Burnett had his best game when he recorded three tackles against Austin Peay.
In a statement, Alabama A&M Director of Athletics Paul Bryant said, “The loss of Medrick Burnett Jr. is heartbreaking for our Bulldog family.”
Beyond his outstanding athletic abilities, Medrick was a fantastic young man whose compassion, leadership, and positive energy left a lasting impression on everyone he came into contact with. Our sorrow is beyond words, but we are humbled by his family’s bravery in supporting him through this unfathomable suffering.”
Burnett received his diploma from Lakewood, California’s Mayfair High School, which is located just outside of Los Angeles.
“We pray for his family and teammates at this incredibly difficult time,” a statement from Mayfair High School said.
This season, Alabama A&M, which is 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), will play Florida A&M in Tallahassee on Friday afternoon.
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