College Football
College Football Player, 21, Dies 5 Days After Suffering a ‘Traumatic Injury’ During Game
Southern Nazarene University safety Tyler Ulrich has died after being injured during a game on Saturday, October 10.
The 21-year-old safety was playing against Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, when he suffered a “traumatic injury,” Keith Newman, the president of the Bethany, Oklahoma, school, said in a statement on Thursday, October 15, per KOCO. “Since that time, he has been in the hospital, continually surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates, and dear friends.”
The Texas native’s cause of death has not been revealed, but the Associated Press reported that the game was delayed for almost an hour while a medical team attended to him, before he was then taken to the hospital.
Mark Ulrich, who was identified by CBS News as Tyler’s father, also announced his son’s passing in a Facebook post five days later on Thursday.
“Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler and we are ever grateful. But as much support and love that was given, it is with a heavy heart I am writing to say the Lord called Tyler this morning at 11:13 a.m.” Mark wrote. “Tyler will join many of our loved ones that have passed. Tyler led a life full of faith, passion and being a BEAST on the football field!!! He will be remembered always.”
The college also issued a statement via Instagram on October 15. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich,” the post read. “This loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. We ask that you join us in lifting them up in prayer during this incredibly difficult time.”
Tyler’s coach on the Division II team also remembered him in an X post. “Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous,” Dustin Hada wrote. “That’s who Tyler was!!”
SNU lost the October 10 game 49-14. Their game against Southwestern Oklahoma State, which was scheduled for October 17, has been canceled, per The Athletic.
