Baker Mayfield sends message to Jake Ehlinger’s family after tragic death

Browns quarterback and Austin native Baker Mayfield sent his condolences to the family of Jake Ehlinger after the Texas linebacker was found dead.

Sometimes, college football rivalries feel like the biggest thing in the world. Sometimes, it takes a tragedy to remind you that they mean very little in the grand scheme of things.

On Thursday, when police discovered the body of Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger, brother of quarterback Sam Ehlinger, it was one such tragedy.

Browns quarterback and former Oklahoma Heisman winner Baker Mayfield sent his condolences to the Ehlinger family for their loss.

Baker Mayfield and Jake and Sam Ehlinger had Austin in common

Mayfield and the Ehlinger family have more in common than the Oklahoma-Texas rivalry and football.

While he played at Oklahoma, Mayfield was born in Austin, where the University of Texas is located. He’s just three years older than Sam, who also grew up in the city and dreamed of becoming a Longhorn.

The two quarterbacks faced off once in college. Mayfield was a senior at Oklahoma, while Ehlinger was starting as a freshman in 2017. The Sooners won 29-24.

Mayfield didn’t have to reach out. It’s a sign of his character that he acknowledged Jake’s passing. It’s just sad it was necessary.

Knowing that this comes just days after Jake celebrated Sam being drafted by the Colts only makes it more of a tragedy for the Ehlinger family.

Austin police announced Jake dead at a residence near Texas’ campus. His death is not considered suspicious, but a cause was not released.

The 20-year-old linebacker followed in his brother’s footsteps by committing to the Longhorns in the class of 2019. He hadn’t had a chance to play yet, though. He redshirted in 2019 and didn’t see the field in 2020.