LIBERTY, Mo. — KSHB 41 News reporter Braden Bates covers parts of Jackson County, Missouri, including Lee's Summit. Send Braden a story idea by e-mail.
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The family of MicahJo Barnett continued to mourn Friday following his death last Saturday during a football game at William Jewell College.
Barnett, a William Jewell football player, suffered a medical emergency and passed away during the team's season opener on Aug. 29.
Moments before he experienced the medical emergency, he scored a touchdown. Those would be the first and only points of the game.
The game against Fort Lewis College was suspended.
In a statement Friday, Barnett's family asked for privacy as they grieve the loss.
"We, the family of Micah Jo Barnett, are deeply saddened by his death. His loss is unimaginable for his mother, Michelle, who supported her son from the moment God gave him his first breath until his last. This is a very difficult time for our entire family.
As we lay him to rest on what would have been his 21st birthday, we will come together to honor and celebrate his life. Micah was a private person who genuinely cared about others. We respectfully ask that our privacy and our grief be respected.
The words people have shared about Micah reflect his character, and we are grateful for them. What we need right now is the space to mourn. We are not ready to discuss his death, and we kindly ask that media inquiries not be directed to members of our family.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of kind words and prayers, and for the visits that have brought comfort to our family during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support and continued prayers.
Our family has retained Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader and G. Gray Law, LLC."
Since Barnett's passing, several local businesses have raised money for his family along with a GoFundMe.
KSHB 41 reporter Braden Bates spoke with Ty Gifford, a close family friend. He said MicahJo would have done anything to help his family and siblings.
"Michelle is a person that Micah cared for. He loves her more than life itself," Gifford said. "Micah would do anything for his mom and his siblings. That's just who Micah is, right?"
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"Doing the GoFundMe isn't the thing about the money. It's about helping the family out because that's what Micah would want us to do. Micah would want us to help his mom," Gifford said.
Nearly a week after his death, the GoFundMe has raised over $65,000.
Liberty North, Barnett's alma mater, honored Barnett in a pregame video and moment of silence at their game on Friday.
KSHB 41 News was there as former teammates, friends and schoolmates gathered in his honor.
"They have, like, an inside joke: call him the King of Liberty or Mr. Liberty. And to see all of this, it's honestly, it shows that's why he's called that," said Shkomak Pahmahmie.
The team said it wasn't normal being at the game without him. His former teammates said showing up was important for all of them despite the heartache.
"He's one of one. I mean, never have a bad day. That's what he would want," Braden Gifford said.
MicahJo's team said he was there in spirit with the hundreds of people in the crowd.
"Seeing how much of an impact that he had really is truly inspiring," Tyler Suppes said.
The event wasn't about the sad feelings knowing he's gone, but the thousands of positive ones they built over his 20 years. The team showing love through stories.
"He's one of the funniest people you ever meet. I mean I could tell you stories for hours," Dominic MacNeil said. "He knew this team was like a family and he knows we come together when tragedy strikes."
While family and friends are home to honor MicahJo, this isn't goodbye.
"Bye means forever, so he always says, 'Love you later, see you later,'" Pahmahmie said.
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