Members of the Utah and sports communities have gathered on social media to remember Utah defenseman Ty Jordan, following news of his death on Saturday morning.
Jordan died in what police believe was an accidental shooting in Denton, Texas. He joined the Utes program this season as a true freshman from Mesquite, Texas. Jordan was 19.
Those close to the program discuss its influence in Utah
People close to the Utah football program – from coaches and alumni to the media – discussed the impact Jordan – the 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year – has had during his short stint. in Utah through posts on Twitter.
Several people remembered Jordan’s character, both on and off the pitch. Yogi Roth of the Pac-12 Network said, “Watching him compete was a joy, but hearing the type of man he was from those who knew him is what I will remember the most.”
In August, Jordan’s mother, Tiffany, died of cancer.
“Ty Jordan lost his mother earlier this year. Ty told me he wanted to make her proud of her playing on the pitch. Mission accomplished young man. I’m just sad we can’t see you anymore. Rest In Peace # 22, ”Utes play-by-play announcer Bill Riley wrote on Twitter.
Ty Jordan lost his mother earlier this year. Ty told me he wanted to make her proud of her playing on the pitch. Mission accomplished young man. I’m just sad we can’t see you anymore. Rest in peace # 22. #Utes
– Bill Riley (@ espn700bill) December 26, 2020
Jordan led Utah with 597 yards and six rushing touchdowns in a truncated 2020 season. This included running over 100 yards in each of the Utes’ last three games.
“I fell in love watching you put the team on your back this season. The fearlessness with which you walked through the door doesn’t come often. We will miss you my brother. 22 Ty Jordan, ”said former Utah linebacker Brian Blechen.
I fell in love to see you put the team on your back this season. The fearlessness with which you walked through the door doesn’t come often. We will miss you my brother. ❤️22 Ty Jordan❤️ pic.twitter.com/iLAdOitmNm
– Brian Blechen (@CoachBlech) December 26, 2020
Jordan’s station coach in Utah, running backs coach Kiel McDonald, expressed appreciation for the time he spent with Jordan.
“Dude, I miss you Ty but I don’t know nothing what I can say or do will bring you back because if I could I would.” God knows I would. I love you boy. I am thankful that God allowed me to coach you and have you in my life. I am blessed for our countless hours, days and months together, ”McDonald wrote on Twitter.
Dude I miss you Ty but, I don’t know nothing what I can say or do will bring you back because if I could I would. God knows I would. I love you boy. I am thankful that God allowed me to coach you and have you in my life. I am blessed for our countless hours, days and months together. https://t.co/vvfpYKTGnY
– Coach Kiel McDonald (@Coach_KMcDonald) December 26, 2020
Utah’s all-time best rusher Zack Moss, who is now a rookie with the Buffalo Bills, said he has interacted with Jordan a few times. “We are blessed to see him play the game and it hurts!” 22 forever a legend !! Go spend more time with your mom brother, ”Moss said.
Prayers to Ty Jordan and his family and the @Utah_Football family!! I have had the chance to meet and interact with him several times via social media. We are blessed to see him play the game and it hurts! 22 forever a legend !! Go spend some more time with your mom brother
– Zack Moss (@ PresMoss2) December 26, 2020
Heartbreaking. Watching him compete was a joy, but hearing about the type of man he was from those who knew him is what I will remember the most. Much, much love to his family, teammates, coaches and everyone who knew Ty Jordan. Gone far too soon. ❤️ https://t.co/eMuh7shW25
– Yogi Roth (@YogiRoth) December 26, 2020
My thoughts are with Ty’s family and friends. Just devastated by this news. A light so bright, gone.
– Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) December 26, 2020
Absolutely sorry. So much talent and so much fun to watch. Rest in peace, Ty Jordan. Prayers for the Jordan family
– Garett Bolles (@ gbolles72) December 26, 2020
I woke up to the news and my heart sank for Ty Jordan, his family and his future. Most think of the career he had ahead of him, but even of life beyond football. Everything is gone. Ute fam will mourn this for a long time. pic.twitter.com/0Ep0fgZ5Qt
– Steve Tate (@ tate28) December 26, 2020
Most will see the player we see the person that a team is a family. For some it’s about W and L. Stars and rankings for us it’s about people and making a difference. Today we lost one in the game of life and it hurts. We can make a difference. Do not observe DO pic.twitter.com/f7vkOsvxEX
– Coach Guy Holliday (@ eagle88me) December 26, 2020
Other schools share their condolences
Schools across the state of Utah have shown support for Jordan’s family and the Utah program.
“Kyle, Mark, Utah coaches, players and fans. My heart goes out to all of you and I pray for you at this time of Ty’s passing. Much love utes. Peace be with Ty’s family and loved ones, ”said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. Cougar senior linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi wrote, “Rest in the love of Ty Jordan. I love the way he played football. Fly high, king.
Kyle, Mark, Utah coaches, players and fans. My heart goes out to all of you and I pray for you at this time of Ty’s passing. Much love utes. Peace be with Ty’s family and loved ones. https://t.co/KExO8ik4ZP
– Tom Holmoe (@TomHolmoe) December 26, 2020
The Pac-12 community has also reached out. USC coach Clay Helton said: “Ty was as special a person as a player,” while Oregon coach Mario Cristobal wrote: “Our condolences go out to Ty Jordan’s loved ones and to the whole Utah football family. RIP ”
Our hearts and hearts go out to Ty Jordan’s family, as well as the Utah football program. Truly heartbreaking news. Ty was as special a person as a player. Rest in peace # 22.
– Clay Helton (@USCCoachHelton) December 26, 2020
Our condolences go out to Ty Jordan’s loved ones and the entire Utah football family. TEAR
– Mario Cristobal (@coach_cristobal) December 26, 2020
Texas coach Tom Herman recruited Jordan while in high school at West Mesquite High. Jordan initially enlisted in Texas before eventually signing with Utah.
“We are sorry to hear of Ty’s passing. We got to know him well during the recruiting process, ”Herman said in a statement shared on the official Texas football Twitter account. “His smile, his contagious personality and his tenacity are what we will remember the most. Our prayers of comfort go out to all who loved him, as well as to the Utah football family. ”
Sending our prayers for the Jordan family and @Utah_Football the players and the staff in the face of this tragedy. Ofa Atu
– Ilaisa Tuiaki (@coachtuiaki) December 26, 2020
Rest in love Ty Jordan. My heart hurts for his family. My deepest condolences to @Utah_Football and the Jordan family.
– Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) December 26, 2020
Rest in love Ty Jordan. I love the way he played football. Fly high king
– Isaiah Kaufusi (@isaiah_kaufusi) December 26, 2020
Utah numbers answer
Several prominent figures from the state also shared their thoughts on Jordan’s influence. Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, said he “would like to see our community do something to show the love of Utah while helping to comfort the Jordan family in Texas.”
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith called for prayers for the Ute family – “far too soon. Such a bright future, ”he wrote – while Jazz All-Star goalie Donovan Mitchell said he didn’t know Jordan but was aware of his remarkable freshman season. “(He) was going to be an incredible talent,” Mitchell said. “Rest in peace Ty Jordan man!” It’s crazy!!”
“I have no information outside of what is reported this morning, but our hearts are broken for Ty Jordan and his family,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said. “Over the past few weeks he’s completely won over this Aggie… our family has been watching so we don’t miss any carryovers. Prayers for his family and his teammates.
I have no information other than what is reported this morning, but our hearts are broken for Ty Jordan and his family. Over the past few weeks he’s completely won over this Aggie… our family has been watching so we don’t miss any carryovers. Prayers for his family and his teammates. pic.twitter.com/GkrGDhANcn
– Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) December 26, 2020
Very saddened to learn of the death of Ty Jordan. It is a great loss to the University of Utah, to our community and our state, and to his family and friends. Our prayers are with them this evening.
– Governor Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) December 27, 2020
Dude it’s so wild !!! I didn’t know him but I knew he had an incredible season in the first year !! And was going to be an amazing talent, Rest In Peace, Ty Jordan! It’s crazy!! https://t.co/t5T9wopaOb
– Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 26, 2020
It is heartbreaking. I understand Ty’s mother also passed away in the fall. I would love to see our community do something to show the love of Utah while helping to comfort the Jordan family in Texas. https://t.co/HIeDAU5jns
– Steve Starks (@StevenStarks) December 26, 2020
Fans honor Jordan
Fans also took to social media to remember Jordan, and that included a Twitter thread started by user @utedaddy, who shared a photo of a University of Utah flag hanging from outside a house with a message that read: “Ute flags in honor and appreciation of Ty Jordan. Let’s run this thread. May he rest in peace. # RIP22 #UteFamily.
It sparked a wave of people sharing their own photos. Twitter user @utah_ute_gal posted a photo of a flag hanging from a car window and said, “In my USPS delivery van. Everyone will see it as I work today.
User @ sunlitgold1968 showed a photo of a U lit at night, next to some Christmas lights, and said, “We’re going to light the U tonight in honor of Ty.” A fan from Utah State also joined us. “It’s all I’ve got, but it’s better than nothing. From a USU fan, lots of love in the U today, ”wrote Twitter user @Nutts__, while sharing a photo of a Utah polo shirt hanging from a window.
