Southern Nazarene safety Tyler Ulrich dies less than a week after suffering 'traumatic injury' during game

Division II Southern Nazarene announced Thursday that sophomore safety Tyler Ulrich died less than a week after he was injured during the team's game at Ouachita Baptist. He was 21.The school told WFAA 8 in Dallas-Fort Worth on Wednesday that Ulrich had suffered a "traumatic injury" during the game. Ulrich had been in critical condition and the game was stopped for 45 minutes while he received medical attention, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram."This loss is deeply felt across our campus," the school said in a statement. "Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. We ask that you join us in lifting them up in prayer during this incredibly difficult time."Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous. Thats who Tyler was!! https://t.co/oIBEfZkU8T— Dustin Hada (@CoachHada) October 15, 2026Earlier Thursday, Ulrich's father Mark posted to Facebook that Tyler had suffered a head injury in the game and "we truly need a miracle.""Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler and we are ever grateful," Ulrich posted Thursday afternoon. "But as much support and love that was given, it is with a heavy heart I am writing to say the Lord called Tyler this morning at 11:13 a.m."A GoFundMe for the Ulrich family had nearly $14,000 as of Thursday afternoon.Ulrich had appeared in all six of SNU's games to date and was third on the team with 39 tackles. The Crimson Storm are 1-5 ahead of their scheduled game against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday