College football world rocked by game-related deaths of 2 players. Here’s the latest

Injuries are a part of football, but nobody expects a player to lose their life during a game.

Sadly, that has now happened twice this season, after Southern Nazarene safety Tyler Ulrich died on Thursday, five days after suffering a traumatic injury in his team’s game.

The following is a look back on his death as well as the death of William Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett:

MicahJo Barnett

Barnett died after suffering a medical emergency during William Jewell College’s season opener.

His family released a statement a week later.

“We, the family of Micah Jo Barnett, are deeply saddened by his death,” it read. “His loss is unimaginable for his mother, Michelle, who supported her son from the moment God gave him his first breath until his last. This is a very difficult time for our entire family. As we lay him to rest on what would have been his 21st birthday, we will come together to honor and celebrate his life. Micah was a private person who genuinely cared about others. We respectfully ask that our privacy and our grief be respected.

“The words people have shared about Micah reflect his character, and we are grateful for them,” the statement continued. “What we need right now is the space to mourn. We are not ready to discuss his death, and we kindly ask that media inquiries not be directed to members of our family. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of kind words and prayers, and for the visits that have brought comfort to our family during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support and continued prayers.

“Our family has retained Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader and G. Gray Law, LLC.”

Barnett scored the only touchdown in the game against Fort Lewis, and video showed him celebrating afterward.

But a short time later, Fox 4 reporter Harold R. Kuntz said that play was suspended in the first quarter after Barnett began suffering from “seizure-like symptoms.”

The school told Newsweek that it was not aware of any pre-existing conditions that may have led to his passing, adding to the mystery of what caused his death.

“William Jewell College and the Liberty, Missouri community mourn the passing of MicahJo Barnett, a junior business administration and member of Jewell Cardinal football program and former Liberty North Eagle,” a statement from William Jewell said last week. “Our thoughts and prayers are with MicahJo’s family, our students, and the Cardinal Football family, and the rest of our community during this time of loss.”

Barnett started five games last season as a sophomore, leading William Jewell with 366 rushing yards. He also scored four touchdowns. His best game came when he rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries against Kentucky Wesleyan.

He helped lead his high school, Liberty North, to a Missouri state title as a senior.

Tyler Ulrich

Ulrich died Thursday, five days after suffering a traumatic injury in a game at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas.

Southern Nazarene announced his death in a post on social media.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our SNU football player, Tyler Ulrich,” the post read. “This loss is deeply felt across our campus. 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.

“We want to remind students, faculty, and staff that support is available through the Renew Counseling Center and our Campus Pastors,” the post added. “As we hold one another close during this time, we encourage anyone who needs support to reach out.”

Ulrich was a 5-foot-10, 200-pound sophomore safety from Azle, Texas. He was third on the team with 39 tackles.

Southern Nazarene play-by-play announcer Dave Myrick told News 9 in Oklahoma the play on which Ulrich was injured did not appear unusual at first. But he said players began to call for medical assistance and that the game was delayed for nearly an hour while Ulrich was attended to.

Ulrich’s exact injury has not been disclosed. He had been hospitalized in critical condition since Saturday.

Ulrich is the second college football player to die this season due to an incident that took place in a game.

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