Utah RB Coach Kiel McDonald Speaks At Celebration Of Life For Ty Jordan

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah running backs coach Kiel McDonald spoke at the Celebration of Life for Utes RB Ty Jordan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Kiel McDonald gave remarks about his running back Ty Jordan at his services on Wednesday, January 6.

McDonald worked the closest with Jordan during his freshman season with Utah. Recruiting him out of Mesquite, Texas, McDonald developed a strong bond with the young star running back.

“He was tough, competitive, special, caring and endearing,” McDonald said of Jordan at the services. “He had that special energy that lived life to the fullest. (Ty) was a really good friend. There was nothing that he couldn’t do on the football field.”

"He had that special energy that lived life to the fullest. He was a really good friend. There was nothing that he couldn't do on the football field." – Kiel McDonald#GoUtes #LLTJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 6, 2021

Jordan died on Christmas night in Denton, Texas near his hometown to an accidental self-inflicted gun shot wound.

The Mesquite, Texas native ran for 597 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first season with the Utes. Jordan was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, earned Associated Press Newcomer of the Year and was named a Freshman All-American by 247Sports.

Utah Athletics started the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship on Tuesday morning. The first gift to the scholarship fund will be made by head coach Kyle Whittingham and his wife Jamie, donating $100,000.

If you would like to watch the services of Ty Jordan, you can watch, here.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.