Cristina Ulbrich, wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has died following a battle with cancer, the team announced Thursday. She is survived by her husband and their three children, Samantha, Jax, and Jace.
The Falcons said the specific form of cancer had not been disclosed. Bay Area News Group reporter Cam Inman wrote on X that some staff had spoken with Jeff before a game last season at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where he shared how strong and courageous Cristina had been throughout her illness.
"The Atlanta Falcons are heartbroken by the passing of Cristina Ulbrich, beloved wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, after her courageous battle with cancer," the team's statement read. "Cristina was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace, and resilience touched all who knew her."
Cristina and Jeff first met in 1997 when he was on a recruiting visit to the University of Hawaii. She supported him through his playing career and into coaching, telling the Morgan Hill Times in 2010 that the family was ready to move wherever his career took them.
Jeff's shift from player to coach also brought Cristina relief. "It's knowing we don't have to worry about his health anymore," she said at the time, referencing the concussions he had sustained during his playing years.
In 2024, Jeff was promoted to interim head coach of the New York Jets following Robert Saleh's firing. Cristina was photographed on the sideline kissing her husband ahead of his first game in charge. The following year, the family relocated for the fifth time since Jeff's playing career ended in 2009, when he joined the Falcons as defensive coordinator.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a personal statement. "It was always evident how deeply Cristina loved her family and how fiercely she supported them," Blank said.
Former 49ers teammate Takeo Spikes, speaking to The Athletic in 2023, recalled how Jeff transformed around his family. "When he got around his family it was like nothing else mattered," Spikes said. "He didn't care what type of day he had at the office. It was like, 'I just want to make sure I'm around for them.'"
The Jets also released a statement, saying Cristina would be remembered for her warmth, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family. The Falcons asked that the family's privacy be respected as they grieve.
