Jake Ehlinger.Photo: Tim Warner/Getty
The family of Jake Ehlinger says the University of Texas Longhorns linebacker died in Mayfrom an accidental drug overdose.
Now, the family is hoping to draw attention to “the spread of counterfeit pills” in the United States, which they suggest is a “significant issue” at places like schools, colleges, and universities.
“As our family continues to process Jake’s death, we felt it was important to share these details with the hope that Jake will not have died in vain,” the Ehlingers stated. “We pray that sharing Jake’s story will help shed light on this problem and prevent other families from also tragically losing a loved one.”
The family also thanked those who reached out in wake of Ehlinger’s death for their ongoing support.
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Ehlinger played two seasons of football for the Longhorns prior to his death. He was the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian previously called Ehlinger’s death “a tragedy beyond measure.”
“Jake was a tremendous person and was everything you could ask for in a student-athlete,” Sarkisian said in a statement released in May, per ESPN. “Being a Longhorn meant everything to him, and he truly embodied all that it means to be one.”
Jake Ehlinger.Tim Warner/Getty
“Jake was an amazing young man from an extraordinary family with such a bright future ahead of him. It’s just such a tragedy that we are all really struggling with,” he said in a statement, via KVUE ABC.
source: people.com
