William Jewell football player dies after sideline medical emergency

William Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency on the sideline during the Missouri school’s season-opening football game against Fort Lewis College, school officials said.

Barnett, a junior business administration major and member of the Cardinals football team, was identified by William Jewell as the student-athlete who died after the incident at Greene Stadium in Liberty, Missouri. The NCAA Division II matchup was halted after the emergency. CBS News reported the game was postponed, while The Guardian reported it was suspended and later canceled.

“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,” William Jewell said in a statement.

The Guardian reported that Barnett experienced seizure-like symptoms during the first quarter at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time. Paramedics from the Liberty Fire Department took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to The Guardian. Neither William Jewell nor Fort Lewis provided further details about the cause of death.

Fort Lewis College said in a social media post that a “medical emergency” occurred on the “William Jewel sideline.”

“Fort Lewis College Athletics extends its deepest condolences to the William Jewell College community following the tragic passing of a Cardinals football student-athlete, MicahJo Barnett,” Fort Lewis College Director of Athletics Shawn Jakubowski said in a statement. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and everyone at William Jewell during this incredibly difficult time. Fort Lewis College counseling staff is reaching out to our football team to ensure our players and staff have the support they need.”

Barnett was from Liberty, where William Jewell’s campus is located, about 20 miles northeast of Kansas City. He previously played at Liberty North High School, where he helped lead the team to a state championship as a senior.

Saturday’s game had been scoreless until Barnett ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter, The Guardian reported. It was the only score of the game before play was stopped with 4:32 left in the quarter. Barnett had rushed six times for 29 yards.

Barnett was beginning his third season with William Jewell. The Guardian reported he was an academic all-conference honoree in 2025. Last season, he rushed for 366 yards and four touchdowns in five games before sustaining a season-ending injury. In 2024, he rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.

William Jewell said the college and the Liberty community mourn Barnett’s death, describing him as a member of the Jewell Cardinal Football team and a former Liberty North Eagle. Officials planned a vigil Saturday night on the school’s quad to honor Barnett and his family. CBS News reported the vigil was set for 8 p.m.