(Rick Bowmer | AP file photo) In this December 19, 2020, archive photo, Utah running back Ty Jordan (22) runs to score points while escaping 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 named the newcomer of the year in PAC-12. Jordan died this week in Texas.
The Salt Lake Tribune will continue to update this evolving story.
The University of Utah confirmed that freshman Ty Jordan, 19, died, although details remain scarce.
A Denton Police Department (Texas) media spokesman told The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday morning that the original call was made on Christmas Eve at 9:38 pm CST. Police officers responded to block 1100 on Avenida B in Denton. Upon arrival, they found a single gunshot victim, who was transported to the Denton Regional Medical Center.
After a preliminary investigation, the gun is believed to have been fired accidentally. The victim was later pronounced dead in the hospital.
“The words cannot express the devastation and headache that our team is now feeling upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement. “Ty’s personality and smile were contagious and he made a big impact on our program in the short time he was with us. He leaves an indelible mark on each of us and our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. From the bottom of our hearts, all of us in the Utah football family want to say that we love you, Ty, and that you rest in peace. “
Denton police did not release the name of the deceased. The same spokesman told The Tribune that the task of divulging the name falls on the Tarrant County coroner’s office, but he had not done so until 12:30 pm MST.
Jordan’s death comes four and a half months after his mother, Tiffany Jordan, succumbed to bone and lung cancer. Tiffany Jordan’s plight with cancer made national headlines in November 2019, when Ty Jordan, then a veteran at West Mesquite High School, met with Gage Smith of Sherman High School to say a prayer for his mother. The prayer came moments after Sherman defeated West Mesquite, 56-27.
Jordan exploded on the college football scene this fall, running for 597 yards and six touchdowns in 83 runs in five games. In the last three games of the Utah reduced season, Jordan has run for 468 yards and all six touchdowns.
On Tuesday, Jordan was named second All-Pac-12 team, in addition to the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, marking the second consecutive season in which Utes received an important annual Pac-12 award. Zack Moss, now a rookie running back with Buffalo Bills, was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Ty Jordan’s death this morning and our thoughts and prayers are with those who loved him dearly, including the youth on our football program,” said Utah sports director Mark Harlan. “Our priority is to support your family and the student-athletes, coaches and employees of our football program who are currently suffering deeply. Coach Whittingham and I are working closely to provide support and resources for our Utah Football family at this extremely difficult time. “