Alabama A&M says football player Medrick Burnett Jr. still alive

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. remains hospitalized with a head injury suffered in a fight in October, the school said hours after announcing his death.

The athletic department issued a retraction Wednesday on the status of Burnett, who was injured in an Oct. 26 game against Alabama State. The second statement said the first news of Burnett’s death came “from an immediate family member on Tuesday evening.”

“Our staff acted in accordance with the family member’s wishes to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate incident,” Wednesday evening’s statement said. “Hearing from a UAB Hospital representative this afternoon, we learned he is still alive.

“We express our immediate regret for spreading false information. However, we are absolutely delighted to know that Medrick remains in stable condition.”

A statement on the gofundme.com page for Burnett said Wednesday: “Please pray that he has a tough time, but we are holding on to the end. God give us strength to keep the faith.”

The redshirt freshman from Lakewood, Calif., joined Alabama A&M’s staff over the summer after starting his college career at Grambling State.

Burnett played in seven games and made five tackles, including three against Austin Peay.