Tyler Ulrich cause of death: College football player dies at 21 after tragic on-field incident
The college football player was hospitalized in critical condition after the October 10 collision but died despite receiving medical treatment
The cause of death of Southern Nazarene University football player Tyler Ulrich has been revealed following a devastating on-field collision during a college football game earlier this month.
The 21-year-old died from a traumatic brain injury and a subsequent brain bleed, according to a coroner's report obtained by ESPN.
The findings indicate that the sophomore defensive back suffered a subdural hematoma after sustaining a helmet-to-helmet impact during a game against Ouachita Baptist University on October 10.
The young athlete received immediate medical attention following the incident, which forced officials to temporarily suspend the Division II matchup for approximately 45 minutes. Medical personnel worked to assist him on the field before he was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Despite receiving treatment, Ulrich died five days after the collision, on October 15, leaving his family, teammates and the wider university community mourning his sudden loss.
At the time, Southern Nazarene University had described his condition as a traumatic injury but hadn't publicly disclosed the specific medical circumstances surrounding his death.
The newly obtained coroner's report has now provided further details about the incident and the injuries that ultimately proved fatal.
Coroner's findings shed light on fatal football collision
According to the Garland County Coroner's Office report, Ulrich's subdural hematoma resulted directly from a helmet-to-helmet collision during the game. ESPN reported that the document identified the impact as the cause of his traumatic brain injury and subsequent bleeding.
A university spokesperson told ESPN that Southern Nazarene hadn't yet received a copy of the report. However, the representative confirmed that the institution's community continued to remember Ulrich while supporting his loved ones through the difficult period.
The university president, coaching staff and football teammates attended a Celebration of Life service held in Ulrich's hometown of Azle, Texas, on the Sunday before the report was discussed publicly.
Head coach Dustin Hada also paid tribute to the young defensive back, describing him as an exceptional football player, a man of faith and a respected presence within the locker room.
“Tyler was an outstanding football player and a tremendous man of faith,” Hada told ESPN. “He was a great example of quiet strength and a leader in our locker room for sure.”
Following his death, the university released a heartfelt statement expressing condolences to his family, friends and teammates.
Southern Nazarene and Ouachita Baptist completed their October 10 matchup, but SNU subsequently decided against playing its scheduled game the following week as the team dealt with the tragedy.
Ulrich's death also marked the second reported fatality involving a college football player following an on-field incident during the season. William Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett died in August after collapsing during a game. His cause of death hasn't been publicly disclosed.
Meanwhile, quarterback Matt Donovan suffered a serious head injury following a helmet-to-helmet collision in September. He was later transferred to a specialist rehabilitation facility in Nebraska.
