William Jewell College is mourning the death of junior running back MicahJo Barnett, who suffered a medical emergency on the sideline during Saturday’s season-opening football game against Fort Lewis College. Officials said the incident occurred shortly after Barnett had scored a touchdown for the Missouri-based Division II program.
Authorities in Liberty, Missouri, released limited information about the emergency, saying first responders stationed at the game treated a player roughly 20 minutes after kickoff. The player was then taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, according to police.
The athlete was later pronounced dead at the hospital and was identified by William Jewell College as Barnett. Officials did not immediately disclose additional details surrounding the medical emergency.
In a tribute shared on the William Jewell football website, the college posted the headline, “Jewell Mourns Loss of Football Student-Athlete MicahJo Barnett.” The memorial featured a black-and-white photo of Barnett along with the message “Forever a Cardinal” and the years 2005-2026.
“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,” the school’s statement said.
MORE STORY: Social Media Influencer Pleads Guilty Over Prank Videos at Arizona Chipotle and Other Businesses
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 and with the Cardinal leading 7-0.
William Jewell officials encouraged students and staff to connect with the school’s counseling service and the office of the chaplain. The school also scheduled a vigil in honor of Barnett and his family for Saturday night.
Barnett was from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and was opening his third season at William Jewell. In his first two seasons, he combined for 108 carries for 457 yards and six touchdowns in 13 career games.
During his senior high school season at Liberty North, Barnett combined for 1,450 all-purpose yards and scored 20 TDs to earn all-Missouri state honors and part of a state championship-winning team.
Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.