A 21-year-old football player from Azle, northwest of Fort Worth, died Thursday, five days after he was injured during a game in Arkansas.
Tyler Ulrich was a sophomore safety at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He was injured during the team’s 49-14 loss to Ouachita Baptist University on Oct. 10. The game in Arkadelphia was delayed nearly an hour as medical personnel treated him before taking him to a hospital, the Associated Press reported.
Ulrich’s father, Mark, said in a Facebook post that his son suffered a head injury, The Athletic reported.
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In a post Thursday, Mark Ulrich announced Tyler’s death at 11:13 a.m. and thanked people who had supported the family.
“Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler and we are ever grateful,” he wrote.
He remembered his son for his faith and passion for football.
“Tyler led a life full of faith passion and being a BEAST on the football field!!!” he wrote. “He will be remembered always.”
Southern Nazarene’s athletic department also announced Ulrich’s death in a social media post.
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. https://t.co/aS5ddnItA3
– SNU Athletics (@SNUAthletics) October 15, 2026
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich,” the department wrote. “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.”
The university has not disclosed an official cause of death or provided further details about the injury.
Head football coach Dustin Hada also paid tribute to Ulrich on social media.
“Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous,” Hada wrote. “(That’s) who Tyler was!!”
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Ulrich appeared in 20 games over three seasons at Southern Nazarene, starting 16, according to The Athletic.
The private university competes in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference. It canceled its game against Southwestern Oklahoma State University scheduled for Saturday.
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This article originally published at Texas native dies days after head injury in Arkansas college football game.