The Division II game was suspended after William Jewell running back MicahJo Barnett left in an ambulance. Scott Halleran / Getty Images
Aug. 29, 2026 Updated 5:27 pm EDT
William Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency during the team’s season opener at Greene Stadium in Liberty, Mo., the school announced.
Paramedics attended to Barnett, a junior running back, on the sideline for several minutes before taking him via ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to local reports.
Barnett had scored a touchdown earlier in the game.
“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 university said in a statement.
The Division II program’s home game against Fort Lewis College was suspended in the first quarter after Barnett left in an ambulance and subsequently canceled.
William Jewell plans to host a vigil on the campus quad Saturday at 8 p.m.
Barnett was a native of Liberty, where Jewell’s campus is located. As a high school senior, he helped lead Liberty North to a state title.
Barnett started five games last season and led the team in rushing before suffering a season-ending injury and missing the remainder of the year.
Aug 29, 2026
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