Edmonton Elks wide receiver and kick returner Christian Saulsberry was shot and killed in Memphis on Saturday.
According to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department, Saulsberry was shot in the leg and abdomen while at a birthday party.
He turned 25 on Monday.
The team released a statement:
EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, THE EDMONTON ELKS WERE DEVASTATED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF RUNNING BACK CHRISTIAN SAULSBERRY AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. FIRST AND FOREMOST, OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY DURING THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. OUR CONDOLENCES ARE ALSO EXTENDED TO HIS FRIENDS, INCLUDING THE MANY TEAMMATES AND COACHES BOTH HERE IN EDMONTON AND ELSEWHERE, THAT HE IMPACTED THROUGHOUT HIS FOOTBALL CAREER.
CHRISTIAN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR FOOTBALL TEAM BOTH ON THE FIELD AND IN OUR LOCKER ROOM WERE SIGNIFICANT DURING HIS ONE SEASON WITH THE GREEN AND GOLD. HIS POSITIVITY AND ENERGY FOR LIFE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.
Elks mourn death of Christian Saulsberry
STATEMENT | https://t.co/SPenl1W0jn pic.twitter.com/gebSsyuglm
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) December 17, 2022
Our hearts are heavy with the news of the passing of a member of our CFL family. Christian Saulsberry will be dearly missed by his family, friends, teammates, coaches and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who knew him, and all those who were inspired by him.
— Randy Ambrosie (@RandyAmbrosie) December 17, 2022
Saulsberry, a native of South Haven, Miss., played in eight games for Edmonton in 2022. In his lone CFL season, Saulsberry was a return specialist for the Elks. He had 635 yards on kickoff returns and 235 punt return yards.
Saulsberry was a two-time All Gulf South Conference selection at West Alabama, where he led the team with 1,223 all-purpose yards during his senior season in 2019.
We're completely devastated at TEH HQ this morning. Rest in Peace Christian. You'll be missed by so many.#RepFromSectionX #DoYouEvenElks pic.twitter.com/Cq2OWavVeV
— The Elks Herd (@TheElksHerd) December 17, 2022
Devastating 💚💛
Christian Saulsberry #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/w9IIYCVoAX— Cԋαɳƚҽʅʅҽ EE Mιʅʅҽɾ ™💚💛 (@TrixieLeRue) December 17, 2022
In loving memory of Christian Saulsberry. One team. One love.#WeAreWest #Brotherhood pic.twitter.com/irB5LPChny
— UWA Athletics (@UWAAthletics) December 17, 2022
