Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was prevented from attending the funeral service for Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator and close friend Jeff Ulbrich, due to a mechanical problem with his private aircraft.
LaFleur and his wife, BreAnne, were scheduled to fly from the Packers' training camp in Wisconsin to the memorial service. However, shortly before takeoff, a mechanical issue was discovered, grounding the plane. While BreAnne LaFleur was able to secure alternative travel and reach the service on time, Matt LaFleur remained behind to attend to his coaching duties.
"All of the sudden, I'm back in meetings," LaFleur told The Athletic. "It's out of my control."
Cristina Ulbrich passed away last month after a battle with cancer. She and Jeff Ulbrich met in 1997 and were married until her passing. They had three children together: sons Jax and Jace, and daughter Samantha.
The two families developed a close bond when Matt LaFleur and Jeff Ulbrich were both on staff with the Falcons in 2016. LaFleur served as the team's quarterbacks coach, while Ulbrich was the linebackers coach. LaFleur described Cristina Ulbrich as a "rock star" and noted that her death, at a similar age to his own, put the demands of their profession into perspective.
The Falcons organization announced Cristina Ulbrich's death on July 30, remembering her as "a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace, and resilience touched all who knew her." The team extended condolences to Jeff Ulbrich, their children, and all who loved her.
Cristina Ulbrich was a supportive partner throughout Jeff Ulbrich's NFL career, both as a player and a coach. In 2010, she expressed her commitment to supporting his coaching aspirations, stating that the family would not plan any vacations until he secured a coaching position. She also found peace in his transition to coaching, as it meant he no longer had to face the health risks associated with playing, particularly concussions.
Jeff Ulbrich was promoted to interim head coach of the New York Jets in October 2024, with Cristina present to witness his first game in charge. The following year, he accepted the role of defensive coordinator for the Falcons, marking the couple's fifth move since his playing career concluded in 2009.