(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo) In this December 19, 2020 file photo, Utah runs backward Ty Jordan (22) runs for a score while dodging a tackle by Washington state linebacker Jahad Woods (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Salt Lake City. Jordan was selected as the PAC-12 Newcomer of the Year. Jordan died in Texas this week.
The Salt Lake Tribune will continue to update this evolving story.
The University of Utah has confirmed that 19-year-old freshman Ty Jordan has passed away, although details remain sparse.
A police spokesman for Denton, Texas, told the Salt Lake Tribune Saturday morning that the original call went on Christmas Eve at 9:38 p.m. CST. Agents responded to the 1100 block of Avenue B in Denton. Upon arrival, they found a single gunshot victim who was transported to Denton Regional Medical Center.
After a preliminary investigation, it is believed that the gun was accidentally released. The victim was later declared dead in hospital.
“Words cannot express the devastation and heartbreak our team is currently feeling upon hearing of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan,” Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement. “Ty’s personality and smile were infectious and he had a huge impact on our program in the short time he was with us. He leaves an indelible mark on us, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We at the Utah Football Family want to say from the bottom of our hearts that we love you, Ty, and that you can rest in peace. “
Denton police refused to release the deceased’s name. The same spokesperson told The Tribune that the release of the name is at the medical examiner’s office in Tarrant County, but that had not happened as of 12:30 p.m. MST.
Jordan’s death comes 4½ months after his mother, Tiffany Jordan, succumbed to bone and lung cancer. Tiffany Jordan’s fate with cancer made national headlines in November 2019 when Ty Jordan, then a senior at West Mesquite High School, got together with Sherman High School’s Gage Smith to say a prayer for his mother. The prayer came shortly after Sherman West defeated Mesquite 56-27.
Jordan exploded in college football this fall, rushing for 597 yards and six touchdowns on 83 carries in five games. In the last three games of Utah’s shortened season, Jordan rushed to 468 yards and all six touchdowns.
On Tuesday, Jordan was named All-Pac-12 Second Team, alongside Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, earning the Utes a major annual award from the Pac-12 for the second consecutive season. Zack Moss, now a rookie running back with 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 early this morning and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who loved him deeply, including the young men on our football program,” said Utah athletics director Mark Harlan. “Our priority is to support his family and the student athletes, coaches and staff in our football program who are currently so deeply hurt. Coach Whittingham and I work closely together to provide support and resources to our Utah Football family in this extremely difficult time. “