Southern Nazarene safety Tyler Ulrich, 21, dies five days after injury in game at Ouachita Baptist

Tyler Ulrich, a sophomore safety at Southern Nazarene University, died Thursday, Oct. 15, five days after he was seriously hurt during a football game in Arkansas. He was 21.

The school announced his death Thursday afternoon. Ulrich's father, Mark Ulrich, said in a Facebook post that his son died at 11:13 a.m.

What happened on the field

Ulrich was injured Saturday, Oct. 10, in a game at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, about 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. Southern Nazarene lost 49-14.

The game was delayed for nearly an hour while medical staff worked on him. He was then taken to a hospital.

SNU President Keith Newman said Ulrich "sustained a traumatic injury during last Saturday's football game" and spent the following days in the hospital, "continually surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates, and dear friends."

The university has not said what the injury was or what caused his death. Mark Ulrich said in an earlier Facebook post that his son had suffered a head injury, according to the New York Post. No investigation or review of the play has been announced.

The player

Ulrich was from Azle, Texas, outside Fort Worth. He was in his third season at the Bethany, Oklahoma, school, which plays at the NCAA Division II level in the Great American Conference. The school listed him at 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds.

He had 16 starts in 20 games, including six starts this season. His 36 tackles ranked third on the team.

At Azle High School he earned second-team all-district and academic all-state honors. He also competed in powerlifting at the state level. At SNU he was majoring in finance.

Family, team and school respond

Mark Ulrich wrote that the family was grateful for the support it had received. "Tyler led a life full of faith passion and being a BEAST on the football field!!! He will be remembered always," he wrote.

Head coach Dustin Hada posted on X: "Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous. That's who Tyler was!!"

Former SNU assistant coach Josh Stansell called Ulrich a "WARRIOR" on X. He described him as "a rare breed. Up for every task, always putting his teammates before self."

Stansell added that the one thing Ulrich loved more than his teammates was his faith in Jesus Christ.

Newman said students, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday for the university's campuswide prayer chapel and focused on Psalm 62. SNU's Renew Counseling Center and campus pastors are available to anyone on campus who needs support.

SNU Athletics said in a post on X: "This loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew him."

The season

Southern Nazarene is 1-5. The school canceled its game at Southwestern Oklahoma State, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.

The school has not said whether it will play its remaining games this season. It has also not announced memorial or funeral arrangements, and it has not disclosed the medical findings behind Ulrich's death.