College football star Medrick Burnett Jr. is still alive and fighting for his life in hospital despite Alabama A&M announcing his death in a now-deleted post, according to reports.
Burnett’s school shared an update claiming he had passed away on Tuesday evening at 20 years old, a month after he suffered complications from a head injury in a game.
‘Today, our Bulldog family is heartbroken by the loss of Medrick Burnett Jr.,’ Alabama A&M Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant said via news release. ‘Medrick was more than an exceptional athlete; he was a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.’
‘While words cannot adequately express our grief, we are humbled by the strength of his family, who stood by his side throughout this unimaginable ordeal.’
However, TMZ Sports is now reporting that, according to Burnett’s family, Alabama A&M’s statement is not true and he is still fighting for his life.
His family members are said to have told local outlets that he has not passed away, before the school quickly deleted its article announcing the player’s death.
‘We retract the news of the passing of Medrick Burnette Jr, that was originally advised by an immediate family member on Tuesday evening,’ Alabama A&M is quoted as saying in a new statement. ‘Our staff acted accordingly to the wishes of the family member to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate occurrence.’
Burnett is in his first season with the Bulldogs as a redshirt freshman after spending 2023 at fellow HBCU Grambling State.
He reportedly suffered the head injury while defending a kickoff in the Magic City Classic, an annual rivalry game against Alabama State on October 26, while colliding with an opposing player.
Burnett is a native of Lakewood, California and attended Mayfair High School.
Former NFL and Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson posted about Burnett’s injury days after it occurred.
‘A football coaches worst nightmare… a player that is seriously injured while playing the game he loves,’ Jackson said on social media. ‘Me and Coach Kenny Delgado recruited Medrick to Grambling State University out of California last year and we proudly put him in the hands of another great coach, Cedric Thorton at AAMU and although I am no longer his coach, I will always support him and he and his family have all of my prayers.’
‘… His 20th birthday was October 27th and one of the worst birthdays for us because he was in ICU and not doing well. He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain. He had to have a tube to drain to relieve the pressure, and after 2 days of severe pressure, we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was the last resort to help try to save his life.’
Before reports emerged claiming Burnett is still alive, a GoFundMe was set up to help with his family’s medical and housing expenses.
‘Medrick Burnett Jr. will forever be remembered as a Bulldog. His spirit will remain an inspiration to all of us, reminding us of the importance of unity, resilience, and love,’ a Bulldogs’ statement read.
