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Clyde Surrell, former Colorado safety, dies at 41

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Clyde Surrell – who played safety at Colorado in the early 2000s – has died, the program announced. He was 41 years old.

Surrell played for Colorado from 2000-03 on both defense and special teams. As a senior in 2003, he totaled 55 tackles and took five kickoff returns for 79 yards.

“We are saddened to hear the passing of former Buff, Clyde Surrell,” CU posted on X. “Sending our condolences to his family and friends.”

Surrell’s best season at Colorado came as a junior in 2002 when he had 71 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. All told, he had 132 tackles along with 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception during his career in Boulder.

When Colorado won a Big 12 championship in 2001, Surrell had six tackles on defense and took three kickoff returns back for 48 yards.

An Aurora native, Surrell played high school football at Eaglecrest High School before going on to suit up for the Buffs. Later in his life, though, he dealt with his share of health issues. In 2018, Surrell suffered a stroke and entered the ICU with a blood clot in his brain. Two years later, in 2020, he had another stroke and seizure.

Among the tributes after Surrell’s death was a post from Colorado’s NIL collective, Buffs4Life. The organization posted on X a day after his passing to offer thoughts to his family.

“Buffs4Life wants to send its deepest condolences to the friends, family, and teammate of CU Football Alum Clyde Surrell. Clyde passed away yesterday. Rest in Peace Buff,” the post read.

Former Colorado offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus also paid tribute to Surrell on social media. They played together briefly in 2003 – Polumbus’ freshman year and Surrell’s senior year.

“Clyde Surrell was Energy,” Polumbus wrote. “He was larger than life with a huge smile at all times, he made you laugh, and he could cut through the tension in any room with a witty joke. Not to mention one hell of a football player. Just flat out sad.”