Southern Nazarene Football Player Tyler Ulrich Dies at 21 After On-Field Injury

Southern Nazarene University football player Tyler Ulrich died on Thursday at the age of 21, five days after sustaining a "traumatic injury" during a game against Ouachita Baptist. The university announced the cancellation of the Crimson Storm's upcoming game against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday in light of the tragedy.

Ulrich, a safety, was injured during the game on Oct. 11. While the team has not specified the exact nature of the injury, his family confirmed on social media that he sustained a head injury. The game was delayed for nearly an hour as Ulrich received medical attention before being transported to the hospital. He died on Thursday morning.

"Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler, and we are ever grateful," Mark Ulrich, Tyler's father, wrote in a Facebook post. "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. 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."

Southern Nazarene Athletics released a statement expressing their grief. "It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich," the statement read. "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."

Crimson Storm coach Dustin Hada described Ulrich as a "Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous." School President Keith Newman stated that Ulrich died in the hospital "surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates and dear friends."

Ulrich, a native of Azle, Texas, was in his third season with Southern Nazarene. The university held a campuswide prayer chapel on Tuesday in his honor.