Alabama A&M football player’s death incorrectly reported — and then retracted — by school

Alabama A&M football player Medrick Burnett Jr. is alive, despite the school announcing his death. 

The school announced the news on Wednesday in a press release only to have to pull it down later in the day and retract the statement by athletic director Dr. Paul Bryant. 

The confusion came to light when members of Burnet’s family told local outlets that the school put out incorrect information, TMZ reported. 

Alabama A&M later said in a statement that they were basing their original statement off information from “an immediate family member.” 

3

“We retract the news of the passing of Medrick Burnette Jr, that was originally advised by an immediate family member on Tuesday evening,” A&M sports information director Brian Howard said. “Our staff acted accordingly to the wishes of the family member to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate occurrence. 

“Upon hearing from a representative from UAB hospital this afternoon, we learned that he remains alive. We express our immediate regret for disseminating false information however, we hold complete joy in knowing that Medrick remains in stable condition.”

3

Burnett is a linebacker at Alabama A&M and had been seriously injured during the Maig City Classic on Halloween.

He had suffered a severe head injury from a collision and was taken off the field on a stretcher. 

Burnett had appeared in seven games this season and had transferred to Alabama A&M from Grambling State. 

3

He had celebrated his 20th birthday on Oct. 27. 

Burnett’s sister, Dominece James, wrote on a GoFundMe that he had “several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain.”

In an update on the page on Wednesday, she wrote that he was “having a tough time.” 

“But we are holding on til the very end. God give us strength so we can keep the faith,” James wrote.