Matt Ulrich, Colts’ Super Bowl champion, dies at 41; Owner Jim Irsay “heartbroken”

Matt Ulrich, who won Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts, died on Wednesday at the age of 41. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Colts owner Jim Irsay announced the news.

“It breaks my heart to hear of the passing of Matt Ulrich. Matt was only with us for two seasons but left his mark on many,” Irsay posted on X. “Great guy, I heard he was a great dad – and he was one.” Super Bowl champion. My prayers go out to his family.”

Ulrich was born in the Chicago area and began playing football in high school. He excelled as an offensive lineman and eventually played football in his hometown for the Northwestern Wildcasts. A three-time Iron Cat, he ended up being the heart of the Wildcats, eventually becoming the team’s captain in 2004.

After going undrafted by Northwestern in 2005, Ulrich signed with the Colts and made the team out of training camp. He appeared in 10 games as an offensive guard.

In 2019, Ulrich was asked how it felt to beat the New England Patriots en route to the biggest game of his career.

“One of the best days outside of the birth of my four children and my wedding,” he said Montana Sports. “One of the best days of my life was knowing that we had punched our ticket to the Super Bowl.”

Ulrich’s last game on the NFL roster took place on February 4, 2007, when the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17.

“I had to remind myself to take a moment for myself,” Ulrich said. “It was good advice I got from someone: When you win, use the last moment to look at the tunnel again and just look at the scoreboard, look at the field and just know that you’re on “You’re at the pinnacle of the sport.”

Before his death, Ulrich a Player agent for Harvard’s Football Players Health Study, a Chief Growth Office and Partner for Profitable Ideas Exchange and was listed as Head Coach for Mountain Edge Athletics in Bozeman, Mont., at the time of his death.

Ulrich leaves behind a wife and four sons.