Southern Nazarene star Tyler Ulrich has died at the age of 21 – five days after suffering a ‘traumatic injury’ in a game against Ouachita Baptist.
The Crimson Storm did not specify details but, according to his family, the safety sustained a head injury that left him in ‘need [of] a miracle,’ with the game delayed for nearly an hour while he received medical attention.
He was taken to the hospital but did not recover and, in light of the tragedy, Southern Nazarene has canceled its game at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Ulrich’s family confirmed his death in a heartbreaking social media post on Thursday.
‘Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler, and we are ever grateful,’ Mark Ulrich wrote on Facebook.
‘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 11:13am.
Southern Nazarene star Tyler Ulrich has died at 21 – five days after suffering a ‘traumatic injury’
‘It is with a heavy heart I am writing to say the Lord called Tyler this morning,’ his family wrote
SNU held a campuswide prayer chapel in honor of Ulrich, who was from Azle, Texas
‘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.’
Tributes also poured in from the Division II school.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich,’ the SNU Athletics said in a post on X.
‘This loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew him,’ the post read. ‘We ask that you join us in lifting them up in prayer.’
Crimson Storm coach Dustin Hada, meanwhile, posted: ‘Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous. That’s who Tyler was!!’
School President Keith Newman issued a statement saying Ulrich died in the hospital ‘surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates and dear friends.’
On Tuesday, SNU held a campuswide prayer chapel in honor of Ulrich, who was from Azle, Texas, and in his third season at SNU.
