21-year-old football player dead after head injury sustained during Division II college game

A Division II football player has died five days after sustaining a "traumatic injury" during a game.

Tyler Ulrich, a 21-year-old sophomore who played at Southern Nazarene University (SNU) in Oklahoma, passed away from the injury he sustained, the school announced on Thursday.

Southern Nazarene, located in Bethany, Oklahoma, did not reveal what exactly caused Ulrich’s death, but he did suffer a head injury this past Saturday.

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Tyler Ulrich, a sophomore at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma, died five days after suffering a "traumatic injury" in a game. (Southern Nazarene Athletics/GETTY IMAGES)

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich," SNU Athletics posted on its X account.

"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."

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Dustin Hada, the head coach of Southern Nazarene’s football program, also mourned the loss of his player on social media.

"Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous. That’s who Tyler was!!"

The College Football Playoff logo is seen on an end zone pylon during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Ulrich’s father, Mark, also posted on Facebook earlier Thursday as his son continued to fight, saying the family "truly need a miracle." Unfortunately, he was unable to make a recovery.

"Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler and we are ever grateful," he posted on 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."

The game was delayed for nearly an hour on Saturday as Ulrich received medical attention on the field following a play where he suffered his injury. He was later transported to a hospital.

The Liberty Flames turf field is painted with numbers before a college football game between the Sam Houston Bearkats and the Liberty Flames on Oct. 8, 2026, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (Icon Sportswire)

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Ulrich was in his third season with SNU, where he started 16 of his 20 games with the program. He had six starts this season, tallying 36 tackles on the year.

SNU canceled its game at Southwestern Oklahoma State this Saturday as a result of Ulrich’s death.