Nationwide — MicahJo Barnett, an African American college football player from Liberty, Missouri, died after experiencing a medical emergency during a game Saturday. The William Jewell College junior was taken to a local hospital after the emergency unfolded on the sideline. A promising running back, he had just made one of his biggest plays of the game when the situation changed. With 5:15 left in the first quarter, he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, helping the Cardinals take a 7-0 lead over Fort Lewis College. He had six carries for 30 yards and one touchdown before the game was stopped.
At about 12:30 p.m., an ambulance stationed at the game was called to the sideline after Barnett reportedly collapsed. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital. The game was suspended with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter after Fort Lewis punted the ball out of bounds, according to WANE.
William Jewell College later announced Barnett’s death and offered condolences to his family, teammates, friends, coaches and members of the school community. Interim President Dr. Drew Van Horn also thanked the sheriff’s office, police department, EMS personnel and the team’s physician for responding quickly.
His teammates remembered him both as an athlete and as someone who treated people with respect. Wide receiver Tatum Bethany said the team would continue playing in Barnett’s honor and push themselves as he would have. Defensive lineman Jayshawn Richmond also pointed to the touchdown Barnett scored shortly before the medical emergency. Wide receiver Kaleb Mays said Barnett never acted as if he was better than anyone else. The college held a vigil Saturday night on the Jewell Quad for Barnett and his family.
Barnett was born in Shawnee, Kansas, and graduated from Liberty North High School in 2024 after helping the school win a state championship during his senior year. Liberty Public Schools also remembered him as a valued student-athlete who made a lasting impact on classmates, coaches, and staff. Barnett appeared in eight games as a freshman at William Jewell and recorded a career-best 63-yard touchdown. He started five games the following season before a season-ending injury. A GoFundMe campaign has also been created to support his family. It has so far raised nearly $34,000.