20-Year-Old College Football Player Dies After Medical Emergency During Season Opener
William Jewell College football player MicahJo Barnett, 20, tragically died after suffering a medical emergency shortly after scoring a touchdown in the team’s season opener against Fort Lewis College.
Barnett scored with 5:15 left in the first quarter, giving William Jewell a 7–0 lead. Minutes later, he collapsed and was treated by paramedics before being taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The game was suspended and later canceled. A cause of death has not been announced.
Barnett was a junior studying business administration and a talented running back who had also earned Academic All-GLVC honors. He was remembered by teammates, coaches and friends as a kind and talented young man.
A GoFundMe was created to help his family with funeral expenses, with more than $12,000 raised.
William Jewell held a campus vigil to honor Barnett and support the college community.
Rest in peace, MicahJo. 🕊️