Former Iowa safety Tyler Sash has passed away at age 27.
By DI Pregame staff
[UPDATE TWO (7:45 p.m., Wednesday): Visitation and funeral arrangements for Sash have been set, with Bates Funeral Chapel handling the services. Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Oskaloosa Community Stadium at the Lacey Complex in Oskaloosa, with a private family burial to follow. More information can be found here.]
[UPDATE (4:33 p.m., Wednesday): The Oskaloosa Police Department released the following statement this afternoon.
“On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Tyler Sash, age 27, of Oskaloosa Iowa. The autopsy revealed no acute trauma. The cause and manner of death are pending further investigation and additional laboratory testing.”]
Former Iowa football player Tyler Sash has died, the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Tuesday. No cause of death or date was given, and an autopsy is scheduled for today. The 27-year-old, an Oskaloosa native, was foundTuesday around 10 a.m. at 719 Fox Run Drive in his hometown, according to a release from Oskaloosa police. An investigation is underway, and no foul play is suspected. Funeral arrangements are pending.
A fan favorite throughout his time as a Hawkeye, Sash finished his career at Iowa as one of the most dynamic and explosive defensive backs the football program has ever produced.
“I’m shocked by it. He’s one of those guys that you never know, you know; you think he’s going to live a full life,” said Sash’s teammate at Iowa, offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde. “He was always one of those guys who enjoyed life, you know. Spared no expense, was always having a good time. Always smiling, great attitude about everything.
“… The kind of guy he is, you expect to live life to 100 and be skydiving when he’s 80.”
Sash enjoyed a standout high-school career at Oskaloosa High. A team captain who earned two first-team all state and three all-conference honors, Sash holds or is tied for 28 school records.
Coming to Iowa as a redshirt freshman in the fall of 2007, he began to make an impact one year later during the 2008 season. He finished tied for the team lead with 5 interceptions and six pass breakups and was named Big Ten Defensive Rookie of the Year by Rivals.com.
He returned a year later as a key part of the 2009 squad that won its first nine games and ended with an Orange Bowl victory over No. 9 Georgia Tech.
Renowned for his ability to make jaw-dropping plays in the backfield, Sash is perhaps best remembered for his interception return against Michigan State in 2010 that saw him pick off quarterback Kirk Cousins before lateraling the ball to teammate Micah Hyde, who took it in for the touchdown.
Sash started the final 34 games of his Hawkeye career and is on nearly a dozen different interception-record lists at Iowa. He ranks third all-time in Big Ten history for most career interception return yards with 392.
He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the New York Giants, where he played for two years, winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2012.
The following is a statement from his former professional team.
“We were all deeply saddened today to hear of the passing of Tyler. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler’s family and friends and all the Hawkeyes he was so proud to represent.”
From the day we met all we talked about was making plays for Iowa and together we did. I'll love you forever brother. pic.twitter.com/KpwsGEu1oE
— DJK (@DJKoulianos_) September 8, 2015
R.i.p T-sash
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) September 8, 2015
RIP Tyler sash. Can't believe this news. Great guy pic.twitter.com/6nXVgj6G3i
— OSI (@OsiUmenyiora) September 8, 2015
Sad news for all of #HawkeyeNation. My thoughts and prayers are with the Sash family. You will be missed Tyler, but never forgotten…
— Andy Brodell (@AndyBrodell) September 8, 2015
Putting rivalry week aside! Sad to hear that Tyler Sash passed away! Left this earth far too soon! Rest easy brother! #9
— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) September 8, 2015
Damn man. You never know the demons someone else is facing. It's a sad day when you lose a brother. R.I.P. Tyler Sash.
— Julian Vandervelde (@BatMandervelde) September 8, 2015
Love ya brother…your in a better place now…thanks for the great memories and friendship pic.twitter.com/QOXhyka54h
— Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) September 8, 2015
Damn! Gone too soon @TSash. This one hurts
— Adam Gettis (@NotOnDuty__) September 8, 2015
An earlier edition of this story said Sash was found dead Wednesday. He was found dead Tuesday. The DI regrets the error.
