Division II Football Player Tyler Ulrich Dies After Head Injury
Southern Nazarene University announced the sophomore's death five days after he sustained a traumatic injury during a game.
Tyler Ulrich, a 21-year-old sophomore football player at Southern Nazarene University (SNU) in Oklahoma, died five days after sustaining a head injury during a game. The school announced his passing on Thursday.
Ulrich suffered a “traumatic injury” during a game on Saturday. The exact cause of death was not revealed by the university, but the injury was to his head. SNU Athletics shared the news on its X account, stating, “This loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew him.”
Dustin Hada, head coach of the SNU football program, mourned Ulrich on social media, describing him as a “man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous.”
Ulrich’s father, Mark, had posted on Facebook earlier Thursday that the family “truly need a miracle” as his son fought for his life. He later confirmed his son’s passing, stating, “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.”
Southern Nazarene is located in Bethany, Oklahoma. The game on Saturday was delayed for nearly an hour as Ulrich received medical attention on the field before being transported to a hospital.
Ulrich was in his third season with SNU, having started 16 of his 20 games. He had six starts this season and recorded 36 tackles. The university has canceled its game scheduled for this Saturday against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
![Tyler Ulrich, a sophomore at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma, died five days after suffering a "traumatic injury" in a game.]( "Tyler Ulrich, a sophomore at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma, died five days after suffering a "traumatic injury" in a game.")