College Football Player Passes Away Moments After Scoring Touchdown
on • Updated
College Football Player Dies During Game
College football made its big return Saturday, but the opening day of the season was overshadowed by a tragic incident 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. According to reports, Barnett suffered a medical emergency shortly after finding the end zone.
Medical personnel immediately responded and attended to Barnett for approximately 20 minutes following the kickoff.
College football player MicahJo Barnett has sadly passed away moments after he scored a touchdown in Liberty, Missouri.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 29, 2026
The game was suspended after Barnett reportedly collapsed on the sidelines.
Barnett was taken by an ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced…
Barnett was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Following the heartbreaking tragedy, the school released a statement mourning the loss of its 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 wrote.
It remains unclear what caused the medical emergency or what led to Barnett’s sudden passing. The game was suspended following the emergency and was later canceled, with William Jewell holding a 7-0 lead.
Barnett was just 20 years old at the time of his passing. During his first two seasons with William Jewell, he appeared in 13 career games, recording 108 carries for 457 yards and six touchdowns.
The school encourages students and staff to connect with Counseling Services for support during this unimaginable time. A vigil was held at the school on Saturday evening in honor of MicahJo Barnett and his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with MicahJo Barnett’s family and friends during this unimaginable time.
