William Jewell College junior running back dies after medical emergency during season opener

Junior running back MicahJo Barnett of William Jewell College died after a medical emergency on the sideline during the school's Division II season opener against Fort Lewis College on Saturday, police and college officials said. Emergency personnel attended to the player about 20 minutes after kickoff and he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The college identified the player as Barnett and released a statement expressing condolences to his family and the campus community.

"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 statement read.

Barnett had scored a one-yard touchdown early in the first quarter, giving the Cardinals a 7-0 lead before play was halted. He finished the game with six carries for 30 yards and the touchdown. The college has offered counseling services, scheduled a vigil for Saturday night, and encouraged students and staff to seek support.

Barnett, a native of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, was entering his third season with William Jewell. He previously recorded 108 carries for 457 yards and six touchdowns over 13 games. In high school at Liberty North, he amassed 1,450 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns, earning All-Missouri honors and contributing to a state championship team.