American Football player, 20, dies minutes after scoring touchdown in medical emergency

A US college has been left heartbroken after losing one of its students in a medical emergency during an American football match.

Tributes have flown in for MicahJo Barnett who was seen celebrating a touchdown just moments before his tragic death at the weekend.

The 20-year-old, who was a junior business major at William Jewell College, can be seen in a now viral video celebrating with his teammates after a touchdown in the game against Fort Lewis on Saturday 29 August.

However, he later suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to hospital, with the game suspended, before it was announced by the school to a shocked crowd that he had passed away.

“William Jewell College and the Liberty, Missouri, community mourn the passing of MicahJo Barnett, junior business administration major and member of Jewell Cardinal Football team and former Liberty North Eagle,” the school wrote on its website. “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."

A GoFundMe has since been set up by one of MicahJo's former coaches and has raised over $30,000 at the time of writing, which will go to his family as they negotiate this awful loss and the impending funeral costs.

William Jewell College Interim President Dr. Drew Van Horn paid tribute to the response from the sheriff's office, the police department, EMS team and the physician on the team, suggesting that 'everybody responded so quickly' to the emergency last weekend.

He added: “Our hearts are heavy and we just appreciate all the support that we have received from the greater community.”

MicahJo's teammates have also been quick to praise the young student not just for his skills on the football field but also for how he was as a human being.

“It’s an honour to play for him, you know,” said Tatum Bethany, sophomore and wide receiver. “He’s always going to be with us regardless. So, we know he would want us to keep moving and keep pushing and play as hard as he would every day. “

Sophomore and defensive lineman Jayshawn Richmond added: “As you can see, he scored right before his final moments, and we are just going to continue on what you started,” Richmond said. “I’m just going to finish this out and that’s all we can do.”

Wide receiver Kaleb Mays said: “He never acted like he was better than anybody. And we should do the same and play for him like he plays for us.”

The Liberty Fire Department has confirmed that they responded to the incident at around 12.30pm on Saturday with an ambulance quickly requested, but sadly he could not be saved and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“Fort Lewis College Athletics extends its deepest condolences to the William Jewell College community following the tragic passing of a Cardinals football student-athlete, MicahJo Barnett,” Fort Lewis College Director of Athletics Shawn Jakubowski said in a statement Saturday. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and everyone at William Jewell during this incredibly difficult time. Fort Lewis College counselling staff is reaching out to our football team to ensure our players and staff have the support they need."

A vigil was held at the college on Saturday night to honour MicahJo and his family.