Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. has died at age 20

Alabama A&M’s Medrick Burnett Jr. died Wednesday night at age 20 after suffering a head injury during a football game in October, Jefferson County Deputy Coroner AJ Clifton confirmed to The Athletic on Friday.

The redshirt freshman linebacker suffered a head injury during the Bulldogs’ 27-19 loss to Alabama State, their in-state rival, on Oct. 26 during the Magic City Classic.

Clifton declined to provide the outlet with any further information. However, a press release is expected to be released on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the university confirmed the death of its student; However, it retracted the statement just hours later after UAB Hospital learned he was still alive.

Alabama A&M said it was “originally informed Tuesday evening by an immediate family member” about the 6-foot-1, 225-pound freshman.

“We are retracting the news of the death of Medrick Burnette Jr., which was originally shared by an immediate family member Tuesday evening,” the university’s athletic department posted on community and beyond about this unfortunate incident. When we heard from a UAB Hospital representative this afternoon, we learned he was still alive. We express our immediate regret for spreading false information, but are very pleased that Medrick remains in stable condition.”

A GoFundMe started by Burnett’s family says the linebacker was “severely injured following a head-on collision” in October that occurred just a day before his 20th birthday.

“He had multiple brain bleeds and brain swelling,” the family also wrote. “He had to be drained through a tube to relieve the pressure and after two days of heavy pressure we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was a last resort to try and save his life.”

As of Friday evening, the family had raised over $51,000 of the $100,000 goal.

On Wednesday, GoFundMe organizer and Burnett’s eldest sister, Dominece James, posted the latest update on the page, saying, “Please pray that this is difficult for him, but we will persevere until the end. “God give us strength to do so we can keep the faith.”

Burnett played for Grambling State in Louisiana before transferring to Alabama A&M.

The Lakewood, California native had five tackles in seven games of the Bulldogs’ 6-6 season.