"He suffered multiple brain hemorrhages and brain swelling. A drainage tube was required to relieve the pressure, and after two days of severe pressure, we opted for a craniotomy. It was the last resort to try to save his life."
This is how Dominece James described the more-than-month-long struggle against death endured by her brother, Medrick Burnett Jr. The football player was only 20 years old when he passed away last Wednesday.

He showed great promise from the moment he joined the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in college football, but no one could have predicted that a brutal head injury would end everything.

The incident occurred on October 26 during a 27-19 loss to the Alabama State Hornets in the renowned Magic City Classic.

The Tragedy of a Rising Star

Dominece, Burnett’s older sister, launched a fundraising campaign to cover medical expenses, raising $60,000 before her brother's death on November 27.

She shared a heartbreaking photo of the 1.88-meter, 102-kilogram player lying in a hospital bed surrounded by tubes, with his head bandaged and a neck brace immobilizing him.
"He was an extraordinary young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. We are honored by the strength of his family, who stood by his side during this terrible experience," said Dr. Paul Bryant, Director of Athletics at Alabama A&M.

Concussions: A Persistent Problem

Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder of Concussion Legacy Foundation, highlighted that the biggest challenge for players is that, weeks after suffering a concussion, they no longer display obvious symptoms.

Stories like Burnett Jr.'s are sadly common in this sport. On October 28, Jack Tuttle, the 25-year-old quarterback of the Michigan Wolverines, announced his retirement after suffering his fifth concussion. A similar decision was made on October 23 by Grayson McCall, quarterback for North Carolina State, who also chose to prioritize his health after two concussions this year.

In 2011, negligence in medical care following a concussion led to the death of Derek Sheely, a player from Frostburg State University. This prompted the NCAA to allocate $70 million for concussion testing and diagnostics.

Life-Saving Innovations

Despite the tragedies, the NFL has worked to reduce risks. In the 2023 preseason, concussions decreased by 24% compared to the previous year, thanks to innovations such as the Guardian Cap and customized helmets for different positions.

However, players like Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars or Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins continue to face this issue, showing that there is still much progress to be made.

Meanwhile, the legacy of players like Burnett Jr. serves as a reminder of the high price of this sport, even with all the technological advances and financial resources available.