Azle football standout Tyler Ulrich dies after injury during Arkansas game

The 21-year-old Southern Nazarene University player is remembered by his former Azle High School coach as a selfless leader who never forgot his roots.

An Azle High School graduate who went on to play college football in Oklahoma has died after suffering a devastating head injury during a game in Arkansas.

Tyler Ulrich, 21, was a sophomore and football player at Southern Nazarene University. His death was announced by the university's president after nearly a week of prayers for the young athlete.

"Tyler sustained a traumatic injury during last Saturday's football game. Since that time, he has been in the hospital, continually surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of his family, teammates, and dear friends," the university's president said in a statement.

Hours before news of Ulrich's death reached North Texas, longtime Azle High School football coach Jason Vines spoke with NBC 5 about the former player he remembered as a talented athlete, a strong leader and an exceptional teammate.

"He is a very selfless man, young man, and a very, very, good teammate. It's something that you would, as a coach, if you could create the perfect teammate, it would be Tyler," Vines said.

Vines said Ulrich never forgot where he came from, even returning to Hornet Stadium over the summer to help younger football players.

The coach also described the outpouring of support for Ulrich, with people in Azle and across the country praying for his recovery.

"The whole town, the community, even people all over the country are talking to God every day about him just because we love him so much," Vines said.

A verified GoFundMe fundraiser described Ulrich as a young man with dreams, a future full of possibilities and a heart rooted in faith.

Before learning of Ulrich's death, Vines shared an emotional message for the young man he had coached.

"Just, Tyler, keep doing your thing. Just keep fighting like you always have, and just keep doing you thing, man. And we got you," Vines said.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.