College football returned Saturday, but the opening day of the season was overshadowed by a heartbreaking tragedy during a Division II matchup between Fort Lewis College and William Jewell College.
William Jewell running back MicahJo Barnett had just scored a touchdown for the Cardinals with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter when the game took a devastating turn. Shortly after finding the end zone, Barnett reportedly collapsed on the sidelines after suffering a medical emergency.
Medical personnel immediately rushed to his aid and attended to him for approximately 20 minutes. Barnett was then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital in Liberty, Missouri, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The game was suspended following the tragic incident as players, coaches and those in attendance dealt with the shocking news.
William Jewell College later released a statement mourning the loss of the student-athlete.
“William Jewell College and the Liberty, Missouri community mourn the passing of Micah Jo Barnett, a junior business administration and member of Jewell Cardinal football program and former Liberty North Eagle. 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 school said.
Barnett, a junior studying business administration, was also a former Liberty North Eagle. His sudden death has left the William Jewell community, his teammates and the Liberty community grieving.