Cristina Ulbrich, wife of Atlanta Falcons coach, dies of cancer

Digital Editor

ATLANTA —

Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has died. She was 48.

Ulbrich, a mother of three, died following a lengthy battle with cancer, the team announced Friday.

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“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,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said.

“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,” he added.

Cristina met Jeff while on a recruiting trip at the University of Hawaii in 1997. Jeff played two years in Hawaii before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played with the 49ers for ten seasons before turning his focus to coaching, working with the Seattle Seahawks, UCLA, New York Jets and the Falcons.

The couple shares three children, one daughter and two sons.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.