The sports community is mourning the sudden death of Matt Ulrich, a former NFL player and Super Bowl XLI champion with the Indianapolis Colts, who passed away at the age of 41 on November 5 in Bozeman, Montana.
Ulrich played a vital role as an offensive guard in the Colts’ 2007 victory over the Chicago Bears and is remembered for his contributions both on the field and beyond.
Ulrich’s football journey began at Northwestern University, where he was a team captain in 2004 and earned All-Big Ten honors. His resilience and skill led him to a spot with the Indianapolis Colts, despite not being drafted in 2005.
His NFL career, while short, was marked by impressive achievements, including a Pro Bowl selection in 2005 and being named a First-Team AP All-Pro that year. Ulrich played in 10 career games, his last being the historic Super Bowl XLI.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Ulrich pursued his passion for health and fitness, founding a fitness company. This venture showcased his commitment to a healthy lifestyle and his desire to impart this ethos to others.
Colts owner Jim Irsay announced Ulrich’s passing on social media, but the cause of death remains undisclosed. Notably, Ulrich had taken an interest in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition often found in former athletes with repeated head trauma. Respecting this interest, his family plans to donate his brain tissue for CTE research, aiding efforts to understand and mitigate the effects of head injuries in sports.
Speculations regarding Ulrich’s death, especially those linking it to the COVID-19 vaccine, have been widely discredited due to lack of evidence. The current focus is on celebrating Ulrich’s life and his contributions as an athlete and a community leader.
Ulrich leaves behind his wife, Alison, and their four sons. His life story, from college football captain to Super Bowl champion and entrepreneur, reflects a journey filled with determination and enthusiasm.
