Members of both the Utah and sports communities came together on social media to remember Utah running back Ty Jordan, after news broke Saturday morning about his death.
Jordan died in what police believe was an accidental shooting in Denton, Texas. He joined the Utes program this season as a true freshman out of Mesquite, Texas. Jordan was 19.
Those close to program discuss his influence at Utah
People close to the Utah football program — from coaches to alumni to the media — discussed the impact Jordan — the 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year — made during his short time at Utah through posts on Twitter.
Several people recalled Jordan’s character, both on and off the field. The Pac-12 Network’s Yogi Roth said, “Watching him compete was a joy but hearing about the type of man he was from those who knew him is what I’ll recall most.”
In August, Jordan’s mother, Tiffany, died after battling cancer.
“Ty Jordan lost his mother earlier this year. Ty told me he wanted to make her proud with his play on the field. Mission accomplished young man. I’m just sad that we won’t get to see more of you. 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 with his play on the field. Mission accomplished young man. I’m just sad that we won’t get to see more of you. 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. That included rushing for over 100 yards in each of the Utes’ final three games.
“Fell in love watching u put the team on ur back this season. The fearlessness u walked in the door with doesn’t come by often. We will miss u bro. 22 Ty Jordan,” former Utah linebacker Brian Blechen said.
Fell in love watching u put the team on ur back this season. The fearlessness u walked in the door with doesn’t come by often. We will miss u bro.
22 Ty Jordan
— Brian Blechen (@CoachBlech) December 26, 2020
Jordan’s position coach at Utah, running backs coach Kiel McDonald, showed appreciation for the time he spent with Jordan.
“Man I miss you Ty but, I know nothing I can say or do will bring you back because if I could I would. Lord knows I would. 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.
Man I miss you Ty but, I know nothing I can say or do will bring you back because if I could I would. Lord knows I would. 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 leading rusher, Zack Moss, who’s now a rookie with the Buffalo Bills, said he interacted a few times with Jordan. “We we’re blessed to see him play the game & this one hurts! 22 forever a legend!! Go spend some more time with your mom bro,” Moss said.
Prayers out to Ty Jordan and his family & the @Utah_Football family!! Got a chance to meet him and interact with him a few times thru social media. We we’re blessed to see him play the game & this one hurts! 22 forever a legend!! Go spend some more time with your mom bro
— 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’ll recall most. Much, much love to his family, teammates, coaches and all who knew Ty Jordan. Gone far too soon.
— Yogi Roth (@YogiRoth) December 26, 2020
My thoughts are with Ty’s family & friends. Just devastated by this news. Such a bright light, gone.
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) December 26, 2020
Absolutely heartbroken. So much talent and so fun to watch. Rest In Peace, Ty Jordan. Prayers up for the Jordan family
— Garett Bolles (@gbolles72) December 26, 2020
Woke up to the news and my heart sank for Ty Jordan, his family and his future. Most think of what a career he had ahead of him, but even the life beyond just football. All of it 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 a team is a family. For some it’s about W’s and L’s. Stars and rankings for us it’s about people and making a difference. Today we lost one to the game of life and it hurts. We can make a difference . Don’t observe DO pic.twitter.com/f7vkOsvxEX
— Coach Guy Holliday (@eagle88me) December 26, 2020
Other schools share condolences
Schools from around the state of Utah showed their 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,” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said. Cougar senior linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi wrote, “Rest in love Ty Jordan. Love the way he played the game of 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 also reached out. USC coach Clay Helton said “Ty was as special a person as he was a player,” while Oregon coach Mario Cristobal wrote, “Our condolences go out to the loved ones of Ty Jordan and the entire Utah football family. R.I.P.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ty Jordan’s family, as well as the Utah football program. Truly heartbreaking news. Ty was as special a person as he was a player. Rest In Peace #22.
— Clay Helton (@USCCoachHelton) December 26, 2020
Our condolences go out to the loved ones of Ty Jordan and the entire Utah football family. R.I.P.
— Mario Cristobal (@coach_cristobal) December 26, 2020
Texas coach Tom Herman recruited Jordan when he was in high school at West Mesquite High. Jordan originally committed to Texas before ultimately signing with Utah.
“We are heartbroken to hear of Ty’s passing. We got to know him well during the recruiting process,” Herman said in a statement shared on the Texas football official Twitter account. “His smile, infectious personality and toughness are what we’ll remember most. Our prayers for comfort go out to the many who loved him and the Utah football family.”
Sending our prayers for the Jordan family and @Utah_Football players and staff as they cope with this tragedy. Ofa Atu
— Ilaisa Tuiaki (@coachtuiaki) December 26, 2020
Rest in Love Ty Jordan. My heart is hurting for his family. My sincerest condolences to @Utah_Football and the Jordan family.
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) December 26, 2020
Rest in love Ty Jordan. Love the way he played the game of football. Fly high King
— Isaiah Kaufusi (@isaiah_kaufusi) December 26, 2020
Utah figures respond
Several prominent figures in the state also shared their thoughts on Jordan’s influence. Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, said he “would love to see our community do something to show Utah’s love while helping comfort the Jordan family in Texas.”
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith called for prayers for the Ute family — “way too soon. Such a bright future,” he wrote — while Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said he didn’t know Jordan but knew about his standout freshman season. “(He) was going to be an amazing talent,” Mitchell said. “Rest In Peace Ty Jordan man! This is crazy!!”
“I don’t have any info outside of what is being reported this morning, but our hearts are broken for Ty Jordan and his family,” Utah Gov-elect Spencer Cox said. “Over the past few weeks he completely won this Aggie over…our family watched so we didn’t miss a single carry. Prayers for his family and teammates.”
I don’t have any info outside of what is being reported this morning, but our hearts are broken for Ty Jordan and his family. Over the past few weeks he completely won this Aggie over…our family watched so we didn’t miss a single carry. Prayers for his family and teammates. pic.twitter.com/GkrGDhANcn
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) December 26, 2020
Man this is so wild!!! I didn’t know him but I did know He had an amazing season as a freshman!! And was going to be an amazing talent Rest In Peace Ty Jordan man! This is crazy!! https://t.co/t5T9wopaOb
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 26, 2020
This is heartbreaking. I understand Ty’s mother passed away in the fall as well. Would love to see our community do something to show Utah’s love while helping comfort the Jordan family in Texas. https://t.co/HIeDAU5jns
— Steve Starks (@StevenStarks) December 26, 2020
Fans honor Jordan
Fans, too, turned 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 outside a house with a message that read, “Ute flags out in honor and appreciation of Ty Jordan. Let’s get this thread going. May he Rest in Peace. #RIP22 #UteFamily.”
That started a wave of people sharing their own photos. Twitter user @utah_ute_gal displayed a photo of a flag hanging from a car window and said, “In my USPS delivery van. Everyone will se(e) it as I work today.”
User @sunlitgold1968 showed a photo of a lit U. at nighttime, alongside some Christmas lights, and said, “We will be lighting the U tonight in honor of Ty.” A Utah State fan also joined in. “This is all I’ve got but it’s better than nothing. From a USU fan, much love to the U today,” wrote Twitter user @Nutts__, while sharing a photo of a Utah polo shirt hanging in a window.
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