The Atlanta Falcons said Thursday that Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has died after what the team described as a courageous battle with cancer.
In a statement, the organization said it was “heartbroken” by her passing and remembered her as “a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace, and resilience touched all who knew her.” The team added that Cristina was “a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community.”
The Falcons also asked for privacy for the Ulbrich family as they grieve. “We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve this profound loss, and we stand with them in support and remembrance of Cristina’s life.”
Owner Arthur Blank also released a statement honoring Cristina Ulbrich and the role she played in the lives of those around her. “Cristina will always be an important part of our Falcons family. My heart is with Jeff, Samantha, Jax, Jace and the entire Ulbrich family during this unimaginable time.
It was always evident how deeply Cristina loved her family and how fiercely she supported them. She faced every challenge with extraordinary courage, strength and grace, inspiring so many through the way she lived and the way she fought. My family and I, along with the entire Falcons family, send our love and prayers for strength to everyone mourning her loss.
The greatest legacy Cristina leaves behind is the family she loved so completely, and her strength and spirit will continue to shine through them.”
Jeff Ulbrich returned to Atlanta this offseason to serve as the team’s defensive coordinator. He previously worked for the Falcons in several roles from 2015 to 2020 before spending multiple seasons with the New York Jets.
The Falcons said they had no additional information to share beyond the statements they released.
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