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In a heartfelt gesture, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown paid tribute to his former Texas Longhorns teammate Jake Ehlinger by wearing a custom burnt orange No. 48 jersey to Thursday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The jersey number holds special significance as it was worn by Ehlinger, who tragically passed away in May 2021 from an accidental drug overdose.
Ehlinger, the younger brother of former Texas star and current Denver Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger, shared the field with Overshown for two seasons. Despite the passage of time, Overshown remains dedicated to ensuring that Ehlinger's life and legacy are never forgotten.
The moment was captured by Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram, showing Overshown arriving in the custom jersey. Overshown will not play in the game as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in Week 1's loss to the New York Giants. The Cowboys selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a five-year career at Texas.
Overshown's Emotional Tribute in 2021
Following Ehlinger's passing in 2021, Overshown shared a poignant message on social media, expressing the depth of his loss. "Fighting back tears while having a smile on my face, I type this," Overshown wrote. "In times like these the first thing we want to do is question why take such a precious soul so soon. The Almighty One will forever be the only one with that answer. Everyone knew who 'Sam little brother' was but only a few of us knew Jake Ehlinger. Jake was a teammate, friend and most of all a brother. Jake came in knowing that being the star quarterback brother would be a title he could never get rid of."
Overshown continued, reflecting on the joy Ehlinger brought to those around him. "What most people don't know is Jake made a name for himself as soon as he stepped on campus. Good or bad day Jake would come in with his head held high, a baggy shirt, and Birkenstock's on and was guaranteed to put a smile on at least one person face. I couldn't count how many times one of his jokes in the linebacker meeting room has gotten me through the day. Even times like this, with him being no longer with us, I still think back to all of the crazy memories of him and it just brightens the mood a little bit more. I can see him right now up there making his pops laugh. My brother. My Friend. I miss you and may you rest peacefully and watch over us."
In the first season after Ehlinger's death, Overshown excelled on the field, finishing as a Butkus Award semifinalist and earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition. His tribute serves as a reminder of the bond they shared and the impact Ehlinger had on his life.