Southern Nazarene safety Tyler Ulrich dies five days after injury in game
Tyler Ulrich, a 21-year-old sophomore safety at Southern Nazarene University, died five days after sustaining a traumatic injury during a football game.
Southern Nazarene University announced Thursday that sophomore safety Tyler Ulrich, 21, died five days after a traumatic injury suffered during a game against Ouachita Baptist. The Division II program said the injury occurred in the 49-14 loss on Saturday, prompting a nearly hour-long delay while Ulrich received on-field medical care before being taken to a hospital. The university has not disclosed the cause of death or details of the injury.
The school’s athletics department posted on X that the loss is “deeply felt across our campus” and asked supporters to pray for Ulrich’s family, friends and teammates. Coach Dustin Hada also shared a tribute on the platform, describing Ulrich as a “Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous.”
President Keith Newman said Ulrich died in the hospital “surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates and dear friends.” A campus-wide prayer chapel was held on Tuesday in his honor. Ulrich, a native of Azle, Texas, was in his third season at Southern Nazarene, recording 36 tackles and ranking third on the team. The university has cancelled its upcoming game at Southwestern Oklahoma State.