College Football Player Tyler Ulrich Dies From Traumatic Brain Injury After Collision

Southern Nazarene University football player Tyler Ulrich died on October 15 from a traumatic brain injury and a brain bleed, according to a coroner's report obtained by ESPN. Ulrich suffered a subdural hematoma, a condition where blood collects between layers of the brain.

Ulrich collapsed on October 10 during an away game against Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas following a group tackle. Paramedics treated him on the field for an hour before he was transported to a nearby hospital. He passed away five days later at the age of 21.

A spokesperson for Southern Nazarene University stated that the school had not yet received the coroner's report. "Our university president, football team and coaches participated in a Celebration of Life service for Tyler last Sunday afternoon in Azle, Texas," the statement read. "The report you mentioned has not been provided to us. Our campus community is faithfully remembering his family, teammates and coaches in our prayers."

Dave Myrick, the team's radio play-by-play announcer, described the play as appearing normal until he observed the players' reactions. "There was nothing in the run of that play that made you go, 'Oh man, that looked horrible,'" Myrick told ESPN. "Just a normal football play. And while I'm saying we got a player down, I see our players' reaction to what they see, and that is when it kind of changed the tide, you know, in my tone. They were jumping up and down yelling for our medical staff to come on the field."

Ulrich's father, Mark Ulrich, announced his son's death on Facebook, writing, "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 11:13am."

Southern Nazarene Athletics posted on X, "It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich. This loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew him. We ask that you join us in lifting them up in prayer."

Head coach Dustin Hada remembered Ulrich as "an outstanding football player and a tremendous man of faith. He was a great example of quiet strength and a leader in our locker room for sure." School President Keith Newman issued a statement confirming Ulrich died "surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates and dear friends."

Ulrich was from Azle, Texas, and was in his third season at SNU. The school canceled its following game after his passing. Ulrich is reportedly the second football player to die from a traumatic brain injury in the last nine years, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research.