College Football Player Dies From Head Injury Sustained During Game Collision
Burnett's death reignites concerns about head injury risks in football.
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A 20-year-old linebacker for Alabama A&M succumbs to a critical head injury sustained during a game last October 26.
The college football player, Medrick Burnett Jr., received the injury during a head-on collision, leaving him hospitalized in critical condition.
According to Huffpost, ESPN reported his passing after confirmation by the Jefferson County coroner's office. Earlier on Wednesday, Alabama A&M already announced Burnett's death, which it later retracted, apologizing for the mistake. The university explained that it was first informed of his passing by an immediate family member.
In a subsequent apology, the athletic department called the announcement an "unfortunate occurrence" and expressed relief that Burnett was still in stable condition at the time.
Denise Burnett, Burnett's mother, spoke to WAFF-TV earlier on Wednesday, saying that her son was still alive but remained in a tough situation. The family updated their status through a GoFundMe page, asking for prayers and strength during the tough time. Their statement reflected the emotional toll the situation had taken on them.
Safety in College Football
The injury to the young athlete had already sparked debates on safety in college football, and Alabama A&M still had not issued any additional updates on the circumstances that led to the collision, but Burnett's hospitalization emphasized the risks of head injuries in contact sports.
It leaves his family, teammates, and the entire community behind, mourning the loss of such a young man. In contrast, Burnett's tragic incident is a wake-up call for the football world: the risks involved for every player on the field and why safety should always come first in sports.
Statistics from Truveta revealed that there were already 72% of head injuries reported during practices alone, and 50% during actual games, among college football players. By the time they get drafted to the NFL, they may already suffer from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE.
