Medrick Burnett Jr., the Alabama A&M linebacker who had been hospitalized since being injured in the Magic City Classic, has died days after there were conflicting reports of his condition.
The Jefferson County, Alabama coroner’s office on Friday announced that Burnett had died with a listed time of death logged as Wednesday evening, FOX54 in Alabama reported.
The news comes two days after the university on Wednesday initially reported Burnett had passed away before issuing a retraction hours later when family members told an Alabama TV station that he was still alive.
Burnett suffered the injury while covering a kickoff return during a game against rival Alabama State. While charging toward the Hornets’ returner, he got lost among a pile of players and seemingly collided with another player, causing the injury.
A crowdfunding effort was later set up to assist with medical expenses. Burnett appeared in seven games during the 2024 season with Alabama A&M.
