50 Facts About Jake Ehlinger

Early Life and Family Background

Jake Ehlinger was born into a family with a strong sports legacy. His early years were shaped by both triumphs and tragedies.

1. Full Name: Jake Ehlinger
2. Birthplace: Austin, Texas
3. Family Background: Jake was the younger brother of former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
4. Father’s Death: Jake’s father, Ross Ehlinger, died in 2013 during a triathlon in San Francisco due to a heart attack at the age of 46.
5. Jake’s Obituary: In Jake’s obituary, the Ehlinger family described the unbreakable bond between Jake and his father, stating they were each other’s biggest fans.

High School Achievements

Jake's high school years were marked by his impressive athletic abilities and academic achievements.

6. High School: Jake attended Austin Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.
7. Honorable Mention: He was an honorable mention All-State.
8. Defensive MVP: Named the District 25-6A defensive MVP as a senior.

College Life and Football Career

Jake's journey continued at the University of Texas, where he balanced academics and athletics.

9. College Education: Jake was a second-year finance student at the University of Texas’s McCombs School of Business.
10. College Football Career: Jake walked on to the University of Texas football program in 2019.
11. Football Position: Jake was a linebacker for the Texas Longhorns.
12. Athletic Achievements: He was a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2019 and the spring of 2020.
13. Fraternity Membership: Jake was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at UT Austin.
14. Student Organization: He was also a member of the Texas Silver Spurs student organization.

Tragic Death and Its Impact

Jake's life was tragically cut short, bringing attention to a growing crisis.

15. Cause of Death: Jake died from an accidental overdose of what was believed to be Xanax laced with fentanyl.
16. Date of Death: May 6, 2021.
17. Location of Death: The incident occurred on the 1200 block of West 22nd Street in Austin, Texas.
18. Police Investigation: The Austin Police Department did not conduct a criminal investigation into Jake’s death, as it was deemed not suspicious.
19. Family Statement: The Ehlinger family released a statement detailing the incident and the believed cause of death, hoping that sharing Jake’s story would help prevent other families from losing loved ones to similar tragedies.

Raising Awareness About Fentanyl

Jake's death highlighted the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl, sparking efforts to raise awareness.

20. Counterfeit Pills Issue: The family highlighted the ongoing issue of counterfeit pills, particularly in schools, colleges, and universities.
21. Fentanyl Awareness: Jake’s death brought attention to the dangers of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is often laced into counterfeit pills like Xanax.
22. Impact on Family: Jake’s mother, Jena Ehlinger, has been vocal about the dangers of fentanyl and has shared Jake’s story to raise awareness and prevent other young people from accidentally overdosing.
23. Mother’s Campaign: Jena Ehlinger has been involved in various campaigns to raise awareness about fentanyl poisoning, including a video on fentanyl.tv where she shares the heart-wrenching details of losing her son.
24. Community Support: The University of Texas football program and coach Steve Sarkisian expressed their deep sadness and support for the Ehlinger family, describing Jake’s death as a tragedy beyond measure.

Personal Struggles and Mental Health

Jake's personal struggles with anxiety and medication use underscore the importance of mental health awareness.

25. Personal Struggles: Jake faced personal pressures and anxiety, which he attempted to manage with medication.
26. Anxiety Management: Jake took Xanax to manage his anxiety and try to sleep, which ultimately led to his accidental overdose.
27. Roommate’s Discovery: Jake’s roommate found him after he took the fatal pill, highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of fentanyl overdoses.
28. Fentanyl’s Danger: Jena Ehlinger did not know what fentanyl was when Jake died, emphasizing the lack of awareness about this deadly substance.

Broader Impact and Legacy

Jake's story has had a profound impact on his community and beyond, influencing broader discussions about mental health and medication safety.

29. Fentanyl Crisis: Since January 2020, synthetic opioid overdose deaths have become more common than cocaine, heroin, and natural and semi-natural opioids in Texas, according to CDC data.
30. Synthetic Opioids in Texas: Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Texas, surpassing other substances like cocaine and heroin.
31. Narcan Availability: The University of Texas has had Narcan available in residence halls since 2016, distributed by pharmacy students at training sessions on campus.
32. Narcan Distribution: The school is ramping back up Narcan distribution and sending targeted messaging about the dangers of synthetic opioid overdoses.
33. Central Texas Mom’s Story: Annie Hernandez, a Central Texas mom, also lost her son Joshua to an overdose of fentanyl-laced Xanax in 2019. She shares her story to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.
34. Joshua’s Story: Joshua had been in a car accident leading to a painkiller addiction before unknowingly taking the fatal pill. His mother emphasizes that he didn’t want to die and didn’t want fentanyl, yet it was deemed not murder.
35. Fentanyl Awareness Campaigns: Stefanie Turner, who lost her 19-year-old son Tucker to a similar overdose, has started Texas Against Fentanyl to raise awareness about fentanyl poisonings. She collaborated with Jena Ehlinger to share their stories.
36. Tucker’s Story: Tucker also took what he thought was Xanax and died later that night. Stefanie Turner highlights the real-life dangers of fentanyl, where kids unknowingly take pills meant for sleep and do not wake up.
37. Awareness Through Storytelling: Both Jena Ehlinger and Stefanie Turner believe that sharing their heart-wrenching stories can raise more awareness and prevent other families from losing loved ones to fentanyl overdoses.
38. Video Impact: Jena Ehlinger’s video on fentanyl.tv has had significant traction, and she is grateful for the opportunity to keep Jake’s memory alive by helping others.

Remembering Jake

Jake's legacy continues through the efforts of his family and community to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.

39. Fearless #48: Jake was known on the football field as “Fearless #48,” a nickname that reflects his toughness and dedication to the sport.
40. Joyful Personality: Jake’s mother describes him as joyful and always smiling, loving football, and being very tough, which made him think he was invincible.
41. Athletic Legacy: Despite not playing in his two seasons at Texas, Jake was remembered for his toughness and dedication to the sport, embodying the spirit of being a Longhorn.
42. Personal Growth: Jake’s time at UT Austin was not just about football; he was also pursuing a finance degree at the McCombs School of Business, reflecting his personal growth and ambitions.
43. Family’s Hope: The Ehlinger family hopes that sharing Jake’s story will help shed light on the problem of counterfeit pills and prevent other families from losing loved ones to similar tragedies.
44. Legacy Continues: Through their campaigns and stories, Jake’s family continues to keep his memory alive, ensuring that his legacy lives on through awareness and prevention efforts.
45. Sam Ehlinger’s Reaction: Sam Ehlinger, Jake’s older brother, has also been deeply affected by Jake’s death, highlighting the close bond between the two brothers.
46. Ross Ehlinger’s Legacy: Ross Ehlinger’s legacy continues through his sons, both of whom have been involved in sports and have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
47. Community Impact: Jake’s death has had a profound impact on the University of Texas community, with coach Steve Sarkisian expressing his deep sadness and support for the Ehlinger family.
48. UT’s Response: The University of Texas has been proactive in addressing the issue by making Narcan available in residence halls and distributing it at training sessions on campus.
49. Targeted Messaging: The school is sending targeted messaging about the dangers of synthetic opioid overdoses, including fentanyl, to students and the community.
50. Counterfeit Pills Prevalence: The spread of counterfeit pills is an ongoing and significant issue throughout the country, particularly in schools, colleges, and universities.

Remembering Jake Ehlinger

Jake Ehlinger's story is a poignant reminder of the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl. His life, marked by athletic achievements and personal struggles, ended tragically due to an accidental overdose. Jake's family, especially his mother Jena, has been vocal about raising awareness to prevent similar tragedies. Their efforts highlight the importance of education on synthetic opioids and the need for proper medication handling. Jake's legacy continues through these awareness campaigns, aiming to save lives and keep his memory alive. The University of Texas community, along with Jake's family, remains dedicated to spreading this crucial message. By sharing Jake's story, they hope to make a difference and protect others from the same fate. His life, though cut short, serves as a powerful catalyst for change and a beacon of hope for preventing future overdoses.