Audio By Carbonatix
Ty Jordan, a 19-year-old freshman running back for the University of Utah, has died of an accidental gunshot wound received while on winter break in his hometown of Mesquite, Texas, the school announced Saturday, December 26.
He passed away Friday after an “accidental shooting” in Texas, according to ABC 4. The 2020 Offensive Freshman of the Year for the Pac-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It is unclear where the shooting took place, his home or someplace else.
"Following a preliminary investigation, we do believe that this was an accidental shooting, where the victim accidentally shot himself," Denton Police Department public information officer Allison Beckwith told ESPN.
"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. To watch Ty on the field was to be thrilled by his athleticism and talent. Rest In Peace, Ty," Utah president Ruth V. Watkins said in a tweeted statement.
POLICE PRESENCE | There is currently a police presence in the 1100 block of Avenue A. Officers responded to a shooting call and located a single gunshot victim, who was transported to a local hospital. pic.twitter.com/oKKyD8mcKz
— Denton Police Dept (@DENTONPD) December 26, 2020
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham also said the team is devastated.
"Ty's personality and smile were infectious and he made a huge impact on our program in the short time he was with us," Whittingham said in a statement on Saturday. "He leaves an indelible mark on each of us and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. From the bottom of our hearts, all of us in the Utah Football Family want to say we love you Ty and may you rest in peace."
Rest In Peace, Ty.
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) December 26, 2020
Statements from Coach Whittingham and Mark Harlan: https://t.co/75RuDPtYrS pic.twitter.com/VzjHkyqHRM
Jordan was named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after he rushed for 597 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also earned All-Pac-12 second-team honors and is the first Utah player to earn conference Freshman of the year honors in 20 years. Jordan ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in rushing yards and third in rushing yards per game. Jordan was the first Utah first freshman to have three consecutive 100-yard rushing games in 25 years.
Jordan was slated to be the Utes’ starting running back heading into the 2021 season.
Latest Stories
-
Black Starlets travel ordeal: Have we failed our young talents? – Former NSA Board Chair quizzes
1 minute -
Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics
3 minutes -
OSP to rely on bank, mobile money records in Mustapha Hamid case
12 minutes -
PMI launches free course to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses
20 minutes -
PURC replaces 10 damaged transformers affecting over 60,000 customers in Central Region
21 minutes -
NAIMOS finds illegal miners replacing destroyed Changfan machines along Pra River
24 minutes -
Black Starlets travel over 20 hours by road to Burkina Faso for WAFU B Championship
30 minutes -
Government can create jobs across waste management chain under 24-hour economy – Dr Annang
31 minutes -
150 women acquire digital, coding skills under African Girls Can Code Initiative
34 minutes -
Ghana High Commission celebrates Sabah Zita Benson on 20th legal anniversary
51 minutes -
Deaths of three children in Tamale vehicle now being treated as murder – Police
1 hour -
Catholic Bishops urge stronger action against tramadol, marijuana abuse
1 hour -
Health experts warn women against unregulated breast enlargement products, herbal remedies
1 hour -
Kenya confirms its first Ebola death as outbreak spreads
1 hour -
Assemblies of God World Congress: Ghana to host first African edition from October 14 to 16
1 hour