Alabama A&M football linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. has passed away at 20 years old after suffering a severe head injury during a game last month.
According to local officials, he died at 5:43 PM Wednesday evening at UAB Hospital.
Burnett Jr. was involved in the collision during A&M’s matchup with Alabama State on Oct. 26 — one day before his birthday. He received treatment in the ICU … and according to his sister, had several brain bleeds and swelling.
“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, Dominece James said following the on-field injury.
A GoFundMe was set up to help Burnett Jr.’s family … and more than $48,000 has been raised.
Alabama A&M published — and later retracted — a statement announcing Burnett Jr.’s death Wednesday morning … claiming it was notified of the tragic news from an “immediate” family member the night prior.
Burnett Jr., a California native, appeared in seven games this season before the tragic incident.