William Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett scored a touchdown in the first quarter of the Division II program’s season opener against Fort Lewis College in Liberty, Missouri, on Saturday.
Barnett celebrated in the end zone with his teammates, and nothing appeared amiss. Shortly afterward, however, the game was suspended.
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“Heartbreaking scene at William Jewell,” Fox4 Kansas City’s Harold R. Kuntz reported on X. “Play was suspended in the 1st quarter after a player, according to Liberty Fire EMS, suffered seizure-like symptoms. Happened on sideline. Awaiting word on health of player. Prayers to the Jewell Cardinals and their family.”
Barnett was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Kansas City Star. William Jewell College also confirmed Barnett’s death. In addition to playing on the football team, Barnett was a junior business administration major at Jewell.
“I want to say that we appreciate the response that we received from the sheriff’s office, the police department, the EMS department, the physician for the team, everybody responded so quickly, so well,” William Jewell College interim president Dr. Dave Van Horn said.
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“This evening, at 8 o’clock, there will be a candlelight service that is held on the quad of our campus in memory of MicahJo,” Van Horn added. “And so our hearts are heavy, and we just appreciate all the support that we have received from the greater community.”
Some of Barnett’s teammates spoke with Fox4 in the immediate aftermath of his sudden, tragic death:
Barnett, born in 2005, was a Liberty native, and starred at Liberty North High School. As a team captain, he helped the Eagles capture the school’s first-ever state championship in December 2023.
“Liberty North is deeply saddened by the passing of MicahJo Barnett, a 2024 Eagle grad,” Liberty North athletics’ official account posted on X. “Our hearts are with MicahJo’s family, our Liberty community, William Jewell and all of his friends and loved ones. MicahJo represented the best in all of us and his legacy will be felt forever.”
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See more tributes to Barnett below.
