Super Bowl Champion Matt Ulrich Passes Away While in ‘Peak Condition’ of His Health

Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Matt Ulrich has died. Indianapolis Colts CEO Jim Irsay announced his passing on Twitter, mourning the loss.

NFL champion Matt Ulrich has died at the tender age of 41. He was with the Indianapolis Colts for only two seasons, yet he was a part of the squad when they won the Super Bowl in 2006.

The late athlete was a standout at Streamwood High School Illinois before studying at Northwestern. He went undrafted in the NFL before joining Indianapolis in 2005.

Ulrich appeared in ten games during his career with the Colts. Alongside Peyton Manning and the rest of the 2006 team, he won the Super Bowl XLI.

After retiring from the sport, he started a fitness company and forged a career in business. He worked at a company called Profitable Ideas in Montana, where he was Chief Growth Officer and Partner.

The former athlete once revealed that he and his wife always dreamed of raising their family in Montana. Profitable Ideas was pivotal in that move, as now, there are more professional jobs available in their community thanks to the company.

Ultimately, it's his time playing football that taught him some of the most important lessons. "I'm a former Captain of the Northwestern football team and a Super Bowl XLI Champion ('06 Indianapolis Colts), which instilled in me the importance of teamwork, grit, and leadership," he once shared.

Indianapolis Colts CEO Jim Irsay announced Ulrich's passing on Twitter, shocking fans. The cause of his death remains undisclosed. The businessman remembers his former player as a great guy who "left his mark on many."

Ulrich's good friend and business partner, Tom McMakin, referred to him as a gentle giant. His friend's death came as a shock to him because Ulrich put great importance on his health. According to McKain, Ulrich lost 40 pounds and was in "peak condition."

Ulrich left behind a wife and their four sons. Those close to his family have pooled in cash to help his family get through such a painful loss, garnering over $50,000 to date.

In October, the NFL community also mourned the loss of one of its legends, Dick Butkus, who died at 80. He was found unresponsive inside his Malibu Residence and was pronounced dead.