Missouri college mourns loss of football player who dies during game
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LIBERTY, Mo. — A William Jewell College football player died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency on the sideline during the Cardinals’ season opener, shortly after he scored the game’s first touchdown.
Junior running back MicahJo Barnett was treated by emergency personnel at Greene Stadium before being taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A cause of death has not been announced.
Barnett scored on a 1-yard run with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter against Fort Lewis College, giving William Jewell a 7-0 lead.
Play was stopped less than a minute later as emergency crews responded. The game was later canceled.
Barnett, a junior business administration major, was beginning his third season at William Jewell.
He led the Cardinals with 366 rushing yards and four touchdowns in five games last season before an injury ended his year.
He previously starred at Liberty North High School, helping the Eagles win the 2023 Class 6 state championship. Barnett rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the title game and later earned all-state honors.
William Jewell made counseling and chaplain services available to students and employees and held a vigil Saturday night in Barnett’s memory.
