By Mike Cason
(Alabama A&M photo)
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. has died from injuries received in the Magic City Classic last month.
Burnett, 20, was pronounced dead Wednesday at 5:43 p.m., at UAB Hospital, the coroner’s office said.
Burnett was injured in the game with Alabama State University on Oct. 26 at Legion Field.
According to Alabama A&M Athletics, Burnett was a redshirt freshman transfer from Grambling State and a native of Lakewood, California.
Efforts to reach the university’s athletics department on Friday were not immediately successful.
On Wednesday morning, the college announced Burnett’s passing in a release that was later retracted when it was learned that Burnett was alive at that time and on life support.
“Medrick Burnett Jr., AKA “Meddy,” who plays college football for Alabama AAMU #51, was playing in the Magic City game on October 26, 2024, and was severely injured after a head-on-head collision during the game,” his sister Dominece wrote earlier in a GoFundMe set up for Burnett.
“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,” she posted on Wednesday.
The redshirt freshman from Lakewood, California, joined Alabama A&M’s team over the summer after starting his college career at Grambling State, The Associated Press reported. Burnett played in seven games and made five tackles, including three against Austin Peay.
