LIBERTY, Missouri: William Jewell running back Micahjo Barnett died after collapsing during Saturday’s season opener against Fort Lewis College, police confirmed.
Emergency personnel treated Barnett at the game before he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Liberty Police Department.
Barnett had scored William Jewell’s opening touchdown on a one-yard run with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter.
Play was halted shortly afterwards with 4:32 left in the quarter and William Jewell leading 7-0. Barnett had carried the ball six times for 30 yards and a touchdown before the game stopped.
No cause of death was provided in the supplied material, and police described the incident only as a medical emergency.
Barnett, from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, was beginning his third season with William Jewell. Across 13 appearances in his first two college seasons, he recorded 457 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 108 carries.
During his senior season at Liberty North High School, Barnett rushed for 1,450 yards and scored 20 touchdowns, earning All-Missouri honours and helping his team win a state championship.
