Atlanta Falcons announce death of coach Jeff Ulbrich's wife Cristina

Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has died following a battle with cancer. She was 48.

The Atlanta Falcons confirmed her passing in a statement on Friday, describing Cristina as "a devoted wife, mother and friend" whose strength and resilience left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

"Cristina was a devoted wife, mother and friend whose strength, grace and resilience touched all who knew her," the team said.

"She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family and the broader Falcons community."

Team owner Arthur Blank also paid tribute, remembering Cristina's unwavering devotion to her family.

"My heart is with Jeff, Samantha, Jax, Jace and the entire Ulbrich family during this unimaginable time," Blank said, adding that she faced every challenge with "extraordinary courage, strength and grace."

He said Cristina's greatest legacy would be the family she cherished, noting that her spirit would continue to live on through her loved ones.

Jeff Ulbrich was absent from Falcons training camp this week as the family dealt with the tragic loss.

The former NFL linebacker joined Atlanta ahead of the 2025 season after serving as a coach with the New York Jets.

Jeff and Cristina's relationship began nearly three decades ago after they met during a recruiting trip to the University of Hawaii in 1997.

They later built a family together and welcomed three children — daughter Samantha and sons Jax and Jace.

Cristina was a familiar presence throughout Jeff's football career, supporting him from his college playing days at Hawaii through his coaching journey in the NFL.