UNI Freshman Football Player From Iowa City Dies at 18
Parker Sutherland, an 18-year-old freshman tight end, played four games last season; no cause of death has been released, and the family requests privacy during this time.
- The University of Northern Iowa announced Saturday morning, Feb. 14, 2026, that 18-year-old tight end Parker Sutherland died ten days before his 19th birthday.
- UNI officials said no cause of death has been disclosed and Cedar Falls Fire & Rescue responded Thursday to a call at a UNI athletics facility; Sutherland's family asked for time and space.
- According to his roster profile, Sutherland played in four games for the UNI Football Panthers in 2025 and was a three-sport athlete at Iowa City High, earning second-team All-State honors in 2024.
- The athletic department announced UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin said support services are available as the community mourns Sutherland's passing, and Iowa City High coach Mitch Moore praised his positivity, saying `He was put on this earth to make everybody better and he certainly did`.
- Amid tense week for Iowa college athletics, this was the second tragedy after the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team bus crash earlier this week.
18 Articles
18 Articles
'Heartbreaking': University of Northern Iowa Football Player Dies at 18
Parker Sutherland, a football player at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), died on Saturday morning at the age of 18, the university announced. In a press release, UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin described it as a “heartbreaking day”
UNI tight end and City High graduate Parker Sutherland dies at 18
University of Northern Iowa first-year tight end and City High graduate Parker Sutherland died Saturday morning, the university announced. Sutherland was 18 years old. “I’m heartbroken,” said UNI football head coach Todd Stepsis in a statement. “No words can express my condolences to Adam, Jill and Georgia.” Stepsis also praised the impact Sutherland made on the UNI Football team. “His character, humility, toughness and genuine love of others ar…
Northern Iowa tight end Parker Sutherland dies at 18
Northern Iowa football player Parker Sutherland died Saturday morning at age 18, the university announced. The school’s statement did not reveal a cause of death. However, on Thursday afternoon, Cedar Falls Fire and Rescue responded to a call from the university’s football complex, with the call log recording the reason as “unconscious/fainting (non trauma).” “I’m heartbroken,” head coach Todd Stepsis said in a school news release. “Parker…
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