The football industry is mourning the unexpected death of a young player, Medrick Burnett Jr., who suffered an injury a month prior during a match in Birmingham. His sister had created a fundraiser in the hope of aiding his recovery.
In October 2024, Medrick Burnett Jr., an Alabama college football player, was hospitalized after sustaining a head injury during a game. Tragically, on November 27, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his death.
The County Coroner’s Office stated that the 20-year-old athlete passed away at 5:43 p.m. Burnett Jr. died at a local Birmingham hospital, with the office adding, “All questions pertaining to the death should be made to the Alabama A&M University.”
The coroner reported that the football player was injured on October 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Legion Field in Birmingham. They confirmed that he “received an injury while playing in the Magic City Classic football game.”
Burnett Jr. sustained a severe head injury during an Alabama A&M kickoff play while attempting to stop the runner during a pileup. He was carried off the field on a stretcher but managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd, signaling signs of life as he exited.
His death followed an earlier retracted death announcement by his school, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU). The university initially announced his passing but later corrected the misinformation.
At the time, the school clarified that Medrick Burnett Jr. was alive and hospitalized in Birmingham. The false announcement reportedly stemmed from information provided by an immediate family member on the evening of November 26.
The university apologized for the mistake and expressed relief at Burnett Jr.’s continued fight for recovery. While he was hospitalized, his sister, Dominece James, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000 for his care.
James shared that her brother endured a difficult birthday on October 27, as he was in the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition. She said, “He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain,” requiring a tube to drain his brain and relieve the pressure.
The late athlete’s sister explained further, “After two days of severe pressure, we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was the last resort to help try to save his life.” James mentioned that the funds would be used to support Burnett Jr., whose family lived out of state.
Medrick Burnett Jr. in a post uploaded in October 2024 | Source: GoFundMe
The family would have needed financial assistance for accommodations, hospital bills, and other necessities while supporting him. Over 60% of the goal was achieved, with more than $60,500 donated by over 1,100 contributors.
Burnett Jr.’s former coach at Grambling State University, Hue Jackson, supported the fundraiser, writing on Instagram, “A football coaches [sic] worst nightmare… a player that is seriously injured while playing the game he loves.”
Jackson shared that he and Coach Kenny Delgado recruited the athlete from California in 2023 before entrusting him to AAMU’s Coach Cedric Thornton. He emphasized that, despite no longer being his coach, he continued to support Burnett Jr. and his family with prayers.
Jackson expressed hope, saying, “He is strong and has overcome much but he needs more [sic]. I am asking for your help for him and his family.” After Burnett Jr.’s passing, the coach posted another heartfelt tribute.
He admitted to struggling with the loss, sharing that the footballer’s death, “hit me really hard.” The former coach even questioned God, expressing his grief over the young athlete’s death. Jackson lamented that parents should not have to bury their children.
He added, “Mr. Burnett, your dear wife and daughter, my heart aches for you all, and you are in my thoughts and prayers.” The coach concluded, “To everyone who spent even a minute with Medrick, you knew what kind of exceptional young man he was.”
Jackson ended his tribute with, “A precious part of life taken too soon! I (we) love you, Medrick Burnett Jr. and family! #RIH#RIP#YoungKing.” Two days later, after Burnett Jr.’s death, MLFootball, a media and news outlet, honored Burnett Jr. on X.
Accompanying a picture of the athlete in his university football uniform, MLFootball mourned his loss, stating, “Burnett was only 20 years old. He was a young man who had a very bright future ahead of him.” The outlet called his passing “just an awful tragedy.”
More tributes followed for the Lakewood, California resident, including one from Mayfair Monsoons Football, which posted on X with another picture of Burnett Jr. It wrote, “We have been able to confirm the unfortunate passing of former Mayfair Football player Medrick Burnett Jr. please keep his family in your prayers [sic]. RIP Medrick.”
Derek Bedell, the Redshirt Freshman’s former coach at Mayfair High School, also paid tribute on X, writing, “Medrick Burnett was an unbelievable young man with so much heart, passion, love, and talent.”
