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Former Azle high school football player Tyler Ulrich died Thursday, the Ulrich family announced on Facebook.
“Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler, and we are ever grateful,” Mark Ulrich wrote on Facebook. “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 11:13am. Tyler will join many of our loved ones that have passed. Tyler led a life full of faith passion and being a BEAST on the football field!!! He will be remembered always.”
Ulrich, 21, suffered a critical head injury Saturday while playing football for Southern Nazarene University in an away game against Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. Southern Nazarene, located in Bethany, Oklahoma, plays in the Great American Conference in NCAA Division II.
SNU football released a statement:
“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.”
SNU head coach Dustin Hada wrote the following on X:
“Man of God, ultimate example of quiet strength, loyal, worker, joyous. That’s who Tyler was!!”
Former SNU assistant coach Josh Stansell used one word to describe Ulrich: warrior.
“No other way to describe the young man,” Stansell wrote on X. “A rare breed. Up for every task, always putting his teammates before self. The 1 thing Tyler loved more than his teammates, was his faith in Jesus Christ. He ran his race and is home with our Lord in Heaven.”
247Sports’ Jeremy Clark, also a member of the Azle community, called it heartbreaking.
“Tyler was the definition of a perfect kid,” Clark wrote on X. “His character, leadership and the way he carried himself was remarkable. Above all, his Faith and Love in the Lord was always present. The Azle community is deeply saddened by his passing.”
A GoFundMe was started to raise money for the Ulrich family, and it has received over $10,000.
“Tyler was the most genuine person I’ve ever gotten the chance to meet, thank you for taking me under your wing and treating me like a little brother,” former Azle teammate Aiden Mackey wrote. “There won’t be a day that I don’t think of or remember you for the rest of my life. I love you and always will, rest easy big30.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2026 at 3:45 PM.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.