Former Super Bowl champion Matt Ulrich passes away at 41

Former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman and Super Bowl champion, Matt Ulrich, has passed away at the age of 41. Colts owner Jim Irsay expressed sorrow over the loss, describing Ulrich as an exceptional individual who made a lasting impact during his two seasons with the team. "Great guy, I hear he was a great dad — and he was a Super Bowl champ. My prayers to his family," Irsay said.


Ulrich's journey with the Colts began when he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He went on to play for the team for two seasons, culminating in a Super Bowl victory in XLI, where the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears.


“I’d love to tell you that I could have played for another decade. But the fact of the matter is, and I’ve probably said this to you before, that the NFL stands for ‘Not For Long.’ I was a guy who had to beat out a draft pick in 2005 and beat out another draft pick in 2006,” Ulrich told Montanasports.com.

“We won the Super Bowl that year, the 2007 Super Bowl 41. Went on to have another season in NFL Europe, came on to training camp with the Colts and just knew those roster spots are so slim and I tell the athletes I work with, have something past football.”

During his brief NFL career, Ulrich played in 10 games across two seasons, showcasing his talent and determination. He reflected on the challenges of the NFL, recognizing that it stands for "Not For Long," and that he had to compete against draft picks to secure his place on the team.

Following his time in the NFL, Ulrich found his way to Montana, where he served as the chief growth officer and partner with PIE, an organization. Additionally, his bio stated that he worked as a player adviser for the Harvard Football Players Health study. He furthered his education by obtaining certifications from Stanford in strategic marketing management and from Harvard Business School in leading professional service firms.

Ulrich was not only a Super Bowl champion but also a devoted father of four pre-teen sons.