Alabama A&M says player remains in stable condition, hours after announcing his death
2 min readAlabama A&M University issued a statement on Wednesday evening clarifying that linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. is still alive, hours after initially announcing his death. The announcement followed a mix-up regarding his condition after he sustained a head injury during an October 26th game against Alabama State.
The athletic department initially communicated the news of Burnett’s death on Tuesday evening, which was based on information provided by an immediate family member. However, a subsequent update revealed that the tragic news was incorrect. According to the university’s retraction, after further communication with UAB Hospital representatives, they learned that Burnett was still alive, though in stable condition.
“We regret the dissemination of incorrect information and apologize to everyone affected by this,” the statement from Alabama A&M read. “While we are deeply saddened that this situation occurred, we are relieved to know that Medrick remains stable.”
In addition to the university’s statement, Burnett’s GoFundMe page, which has been set up to support the family during this difficult time, also provided an update. It stated, “Please pray he is having a tough time, but we are holding on till the very end. God give us strength so we can keep the faith.”
Burnett, a redshirt freshman from Lakewood, California, joined Alabama A&M’s football team in the summer after transferring from Grambling State. He had played in seven games for the Bulldogs, recording five tackles, including three in a matchup against Austin Peay.
Burnett’s injury, which occurred during a routine game, has raised concern throughout the sports community, and the latest confusion over his condition highlights the emotional toll it has taken on his family, teammates, and fans. The university has expressed its support for Burnett and his loved ones during this challenging time, and the community continues to pray for his recovery.