Elijah Leonard honors teammate MicahJo Barnett following his death

Missouri State quarterback Elijah Leonard is mourning the death of his lifelong friend and William Jewell running back MicahJo Barnett. Barnett suffered a medical emergency on the sidelines during a game against Fort Lewis on August 29, 2026, and subsequently passed away. The two athletes grew up together in the Kansas City area, playing football alongside each other from elementary school through their high school years. While they competed for different college programs, Leonard maintained a close friendship with Barnett through frequent gaming and regular communication. The Liberty community held a vigil on the William Jewell campus following the tragedy, and local high school football programs have also paid tribute to the running back. Leonard continues to honor Barnett's memory as he competes for Missouri State this season.

• 5:28 PMYahoo Sports — Missouri State's Elijah Leonard mourns death of best friend MichaJo Barnett