William Jewell College football player MicahJo Barnett died on Saturday after suffering a medical emergency during the Missouri college’s season opener against Fort Lewis College.
The game in Liberty was suspended during the first quarter after the incident on the William Jewell sideline and was later called off. Barnett was a junior running back studying business administration.
William Jewell College Athletics confirmed his death in a statement, saying the college and the Liberty community were mourning the loss of a member of the Cardinals football programme.
“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 college said.
Fort Lewis athletic director Shawn Jakubowski offered condolences to Barnett’s family, friends, team-mates and coaches. He said counselling staff from the Colorado college were contacting its football team and staff to provide support following the incident.
Reports citing Liberty Fire EMS said Barnett experienced seizure-like symptoms on the sideline. No further details about the medical emergency or the cause of his death had been released.
Barnett was from Liberty and attended Liberty North High School, where he helped his team win a Missouri state championship during his senior year. His college athletics profile says he earned all-conference and all-state honours after recording 1,450 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns in high school.
He made eight appearances as a freshman at William Jewell in 2024, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns. The following season, he started five games before suffering a season-ending injury, but still finished as the Cardinals’ leading rusher with 366 yards and four touchdowns from 71 carries.
His best performance came against Kentucky Wesleyan in September 2025, when he ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns from 10 carries. He was also named to the Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference team for the 2025-26 academic year.
The college said students and staff could seek help from its counselling services and chaplain’s office. A vigil for Barnett and his family was due to be held on the college quad at 8pm on Saturday.
“Funeral arrangements will be shared when available,” William Jewell said.
