Toronto man dies from street pole fall while celebrating Eagles’ win
A Toronto man who died from injuries he suffered while celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship win on Sunday is being remembered as a dedicated and passionate individual.
Tyler Sabapathy, 18, died Tuesday after falling from the top of a street pole he climbed during public celebrations in the streets of Philadelphia over the weekend. Witnesses told The Associated Press Sabapathy fell onto the sidewalk and struck his head.
Temple University, where Sabapathy was a first-year student, confirmed his death in a statement Tuesday night.
“There are no words that can make sense of it, and the entire Temple community mourns his passing. Our hearts go out to Tyler’s family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved him,” the school said.
“He no doubt had a bright future ahead of him, and it is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world.”
Tyler Sabapathy is seen in this undated St. Michael’s College School photo. Sabapathy, 18, has died from injuries he suffered when he fell from a street pole while Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrated the team’s victory in Sunday’s NFC championship game.
St. Michael’s College School/photo
Sabapathy was attending Temple’s College of Public Health, the school said, and was majoring in exercise and sport science. He was an accomplished gymnast, and won more than 120 medals in provincial, regional and international competitions.
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He was also a member of university’s club gymnastics team, and spent countless hours training and honing his craft, the school added.
Before he attended Temple, Sabapathy studied at St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) in Toronto. When he committed to attend Temple, the school said in a story on its website he grew up training and competing for East York Gymnastics Club.
Sabapathy credited his mother for spending hours every week driving him to and from the gym to accommodate his training schedule, the school wrote.
St. Michael’s told Global News Wednesday it’s “heartbroken” by his death.
“Tyler was an exceptional student-athlete, a talented gymnast, and a friend to many within the SMCS community. His joy for life, spirit, and outstanding pursuit of excellence inspired us all,” the school said.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the Sabapathy family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. St. Michael’s College School will continue to honour his memory and support one another in the days ahead.”
— with files from The Associated Press
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
