Utah running back Utes Ty Jordan has died, the school announced Saturday.
The Denton (Texas) Police Department told ESPN that its officers responded to a shooting call at 10:38 p.m. ET on Friday. Officers discovered a gunshot victim who had been shot. After the measures to save his life were applied, the victim was transferred to a local hospital, where he was declared deceased.
Rest In Peace, #22. Forever in our hearts.
We love you, Ty. pic.twitter.com/ZaXjWKg4Nc
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 26, 2020
“After a preliminary investigation, we believe it was an accidental shooting, in which the victim accidentally shot himself,” Denton Police Department public information officer Allison Beckwith told ESPN.
Police did not identify the victim.
“On behalf of the entire University of Utah, our love and condolences to Ty Jordan’s family, friends, teammates and coaches. We are devastated by this heartbreaking news. Seeing Ty on the field was to be excited about his athleticism and talent. Rest In peace, Ty, “Utah President Ruth V. Watkins said in a tweeted statement.
Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said the team is devastated.
“Ty’s personality and smile were contagious and he had a huge impact on our show in the short time he was with us,” Whittingham said in a statement Saturday. “He leaves an indelible mark on each of us and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. From the bottom of our hearts, all of us at the Utah Soccer Family want to say that we love you Ty and that you can rest in peace.”
Jordan, 19, a freshman from Mesquite, Texas, attended West Mesquite High and was named the Pac-12’s first offensive year of the year after rushing for 597 yards with six touchdowns on 83 carries in five games. He was named to the All-Pac-12 second team. He was fourth in the Pac-12 in rushing yards and third in rushing yards per game. Jordan was the first freshman from Utah to have three consecutive 100-yard rushing games since 1995.
In November 2019, a photograph of Jordan and an opposing West Mesquite High player went viral. After Sherman High’s 56-27 victory over Mesquite West High, Sherman Gage Smith asked Jordan if they could kneel and pray together. Smith had learned that Jordan’s mother, Tiffany, was battling stage 4 lung and bone cancer.
Dear mom, I love you so much, you’ve shown me over the past couple years how much a warrior you are. Watch over me and guide me momma ???????? Rest in Paradise A true Soldier! pic.twitter.com/ESoWShaRS9
— Ty Jordan ✌???? (@_ylfotyt) August 14, 2020
Jordan’s aunt posted photos of the moment on Facebook. “It made me cry,” Tiffany Smith told Today.com at the time. “(Smith) didn’t have to do that. The fact that he took the time to pray with Ty for me took my breath away.”
Tiffany Jordan died in August, according to a tweet from Ty Jordan. She was 43 years old.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Ty Jordan’s passing early this morning and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who loved him dearly, including the youth in our soccer program,” Utah AD Mark Harlan said in a statement on Saturday. “Our priority is to support his family and the student-athletes, coaches and staff of our football program who are suffering so much right now. Coach Whittingham and I are working closely to provide support and resources to our football family of Utah in this extremely difficult situation. Hour. “
– .
