LIBERTY, Mo. (KCTV) - A local community is rallying to support the family of a 20-year-old William Jewell College football player who tragically collapsed on the field and died Saturday afternoon.
A GoFundMe fundraiser established for MicahJo Barnett has already raised nearly $40,000 to cover memorial expenses and help his family. Liberty Nutrition + Hometown Nutrition are also raising money for his family. The shops plan to donate proceeds from two special drinks to Barnett’s family.
Barnett collapsed shortly after scoring a touchdown during William Jewell’s game on Saturday. Emergency crews rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Hundreds of people gathered to remember Barnett at a memorial over the weekend.
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An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of his death. The Liberty Police Department said it is working with the medical examiner’s office to review the circumstances surrounding Barnett’s death.
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The department said investigators will evaluate the final medical reports to determine if any further investigation is needed.
Ty Gifford met Barnett when Barnett was in second grade. Gifford, who organized the GoFundMe that has neared $40,000, said Barnett’s mother and family are holding up as well as anyone could.
“There was no extra show. There was no ‘look at me’ or anything like that,” Gifford said. “It was about his team and his core group.”
“His personality, the way he lived life, he’s just a good, wholesome kid,” Gifford said.
“King of Liberty, they called him,” Gifford said.
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Yasir Winston, a teammate, described Barnett as a steadying presence on the team.
“I would just describe him as probably like the embodiment of a good teammate, a good person, a good friend,” Winston said. “Like he genuinely walked just like Christ.”
“When things get wild, I can hear him now — ‘Calm down, one. It’s a long game, one,’” Winston said.
Winston said Barnett’s absence will be felt on the field.
“It’s not possible to be,” Winston said. “That void is forever going to be there. Football is not going to be the same.”
Winston also pointed to the strength Barnett’s mother has shown since his death.
“It’s incredible how strong she is,” Winston said. “Talking to the football team, telling us that we need to do better for Micah.”
Gifford said he will remember Barnett’s final play.
“I’m going to always going to remember that last touchdown,” Gifford said.
Barnett wore No. 1 for William Jewell, the same number he wore at Liberty North.
Barnett’s celebration of life will take place September 5th in KCK on what would have been his 21st birthday.
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