BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tragedy struck the Alabama A&M football team when Medrick Burnett Jr., a 20-year-old linebacker, passed away after suffering a head injury during a game last month. Burnett was injured while playing in the annual Magic City Classic against Alabama State University on October 26. According to the Jefferson County coroner, his official time of death was reported as Wednesday evening.
Initially, the athletic department at Alabama A&M announced Burnett’s death on Wednesday morning. However, they later issued a retraction indicating that the information was first relayed by an immediate family member the previous evening.
Burnett, a redshirt freshman from Lakewood, California, joined Alabama A&M University’s football team after transferring from Grambling State University over the summer. His promising start was cut tragically short, marking a loss for his teammates and the wider community.
The athletics department has not yet provided a comment, as they are likely processing this heartbreaking event.
This unfortunate incident highlights the need for enhanced safety measures in sports to protect young athletes. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for players facing health risks. Burnett’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, inspiring future efforts to improve player safety.
In remembering Medrick Burnett, we can take hope in the community’s response, which may galvanize efforts to enhance safety protocols in athletics for the betterment of all student-athletes.