(Rick Bowmer | AP archive photo) In this December 19, 2020 archive photo, Utah runner Ty Jordan (22) runs for a score while eluding an attack from the state defender of Washington Jahad Woods (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Salt Lake City. Jordan was selected as the newcomer of the PAC-12 year. Jordan died this week in Texas.
The Salt Lake Tribune will continue to update this developing story.
The University of Utah has confirmed that 19-year-old Ty Jordan’s first expedition course is dead, though details remain sparse.
A Denton (Texas) police department media spokesman told The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday morning that the original call came out on Christmas Eve at 9:38 p.m. Officers responded to the 1100 block of B Avenue in Denton. Upon arrival, they found a single shot victim who was taken to Denton Regional Medical Center.
After a preliminary investigation, it is believed that the weapon was accidentally unloaded. The victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
“Words cannot express the devastation and pain our team is feeling right now upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan,” the head coach said in a statement. ‘Utes, Kyle Whittingham. “Ty’s personality and smile were contagious and had a huge impact on our program in the short time she was with us. He leaves an indelible mark on each of us and our thoughts and prayers are addressed to his family and friends. From the bottom of our hearts, all members of the Utah football family want to say that we love you Ty and rest in peace. ”
Denton police would not release the name of the deceased. The same spokesman told The Tribune that the job of publishing the name is up to the Tarrant County Medical Office, but he had not done so since 12:30 p.m. MST.
Jordan’s death comes four and a half months after his mother, Tiffany Jordan, succumbed to bone and lung cancer. Tiffany Jordan’s situation with cancer reached national headlines in November 2019 when Ty Jordan, who was then a senior at West Mesquite High School, met with Gage Smith of Sherman High School to say a prayer for her mother. Prayer came moments after Sherman defeated West Mesquite, 56-27.
Jordan exploded into the college football scene this fall, rushing for 597 yards and six touchdowns in 83 runs in five games. During the last three games of Utah’s reduced season, Jordan rushed for 468 yards and six touchdowns.
On Tuesday, Jordan was named second team of the All-Pac-12, in addition to Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, marking the second consecutive season, the Utes earned a major annual Pac-12 award. Zack Moss, now a rookie who repeats the Buffalo Bills, was named Pac-12 offensive player of the year in 2019.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn that Ty Jordan passed away so early this morning and our thoughts and prayers are with those who loved him so much, including the youngsters on our football program,” the athletic director said. of Utah, Mark Harlan. “Our priority is to support his family and the student-athletes, coaches and staff of our football program, who are doing a lot of harm right now. Whittingham and I train closely to provide support and resources to our Utah football family at this extremely difficult time. “