College football player in US dies after medical emergency during game
A 20-year-old college football player died after experiencing a medical emergency—shortly after scoring a touchdown—during the team's season opener.
In a statement, William Jewell College confirmed the passing of MicahJo Barnett on Aug. 29.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with MicahJo's family, our students, the Cardinal Football family, and the rest of our community during this time of loss," they said.
Liberty, Missouri police said that emergency officials at the venue attended to a player about 20 minutes after kickoff. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to a Newsweek report, citing a spokesperson for William Jewell College, Barnett did not have any pre-existing conditions that would have prevented him from playing football.
"The College has no details as to the nature/cause [of the medical emergency]," they said.
According to online game statistics, Barnett scored on a 1-yard run with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter. The game was then stopped with 4:32 left in the quarter, after Fort Lewis College punted the ball out of bounds. Barnett had six carries for 30 yards and a TD when play was suspended, with the Cardinal leading 7-0. The game was later canceled.
Barnett was from Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He was a junior business administration student and a member of the school's football program. It was his third season at William Jewell. (with reports from AP)
