Alabama A&M Football Player Medrick Burnett Jr. Did Not Die, Says University in Apology for False Announcement

The linebacker remains hospitalized after he was injured in a game last month, the day before his 20th birthday

Alabama A&M University retracted an announcement that football player Medrick Burnett Jr. died on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

In the since-retracted statement, shared by local news station WAFF, the university remembered Burnett as "a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him."

Hours after publishing the message, the university deleted it from its athletics department's website.

"We retract the news of the passing of Medrick Burnett Jr, that was originally advised by an immediate family member on Tuesday evening," the athletics department said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Our staff acted accordingly to the wishes of the family member to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate occurrence."

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"Upon hearing from a representative from UAB hospital this afternoon, we learned that he remains alive. We express our immediate regret for disseminating false information however, we hold complete joy in knowing that Medrick remains in stable condition," the department concludes.

Burnett's mother, Denise Burnett, also confirmed to WAFF that her son, who plays linebacker, is receiving treatment in a Birmingham hospital.

“When the time comes, we will issue a statement about what we have been through," she added.

On Oct. 26, the day before his 20th birthday, the California native was "severely injured after a head-on-head collision" during a Magic City Classic game against Alabama State University, according to a GoFundMe.

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"He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain," the fundraiser continued. "He had to have a tube to drain to relieve the pressure, and after 2 days of severe pressure, we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was the last resort to help try to save his life."

The campaign hopes to raise money for temporary local housing for his parents, who live about 2,000 miles away.

The GoFundMe has currently raised nearly $33,000 of its $100,000 goal.