08/29/26 05:36:00
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08/29 17:35 CDT Missouri's William Jewell College running back dies after
experiencing medical emergency during game
Missouri's William Jewell College running back dies after experiencing medical
emergency during game
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
William Jewell College junior running back Micah Jo Barnett died after
experiencing a medical emergency on the sideline --- and shortly after scoring
a touchdown --- during the Missouri-based Division II school's season opener
against Fort Lewis College on Saturday, police and school officials said.
Without providing many details, police in Liberty, Missouri, issued a statement
that said emergency officials on hand at the game attended to a player about 20
minutes after kickoff. The player was transported by ambulance to a hospital,
police said.
The player was pronounced dead at the hospital and was identified by the school
as Barnett. No other details were released.
The college posted a message on its football website with the headline: "Jewell
Mourns Loss of Football Student-Athlete Micah Jo Barnett." The message included
Barnett's picture in black and white and the words: "Forever a Cardinal" and
the years 2005-2026.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Micah Jo's family, our students, the
Cardinal Football family, and the rest of our community during this time of
loss," the message read.
According to online game statistics, Barnett scored on a 1-yard run with 5:15
remaining in the first quarter. The game was then stopped with 4:32 left in the
quarter, after Fort Lewis College punted the ball out of bounds. Barnett had
six carries for 30 yards and a TD when play was suspended and with the Cardinal
leading 7-0.
William Jewell officials encouraged students and staff to connect with the
school's counseling service and the office of the chaplain. The school also
scheduled a vigil in honor of Barnett and his family for Saturday night.
Barnett was from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and was opening his third season at
William Jewell. In his first two seasons, he combined for 108 carries for 457
yards and six touchdowns in 13 career games.
During his senior high school season at Liberty North, Barnett combined for
1,450 all-purpose yards and scored 20 TDs to earn all-Missouri state honors and
part of a state championship-winning team. -__
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