University of Northern Iowa (UNI) football player Parker Sutherland died Saturday morning at the age of 18, the university announced.
In a press release, UNI athletics director Megan Franklin called it a “heartbreaking day” for the university. Sutherland was described as accepting “the opportunity to play Panther football and represent the university through sports.”
Sutherland was described as bringing a “bright light” to the football team.
“This is a heartbreaking day for our Panther Athletics family with the passing of Parker Sutherland,” Franklin said. “He took advantage of the opportunity to play Panther football and represent the university through sports. We are devastated – just devastated.”
According to the press release, Sutherland, who was described as an “Iowa native”, “appeared in four games as a tight end during his freshman season with the Panthers in 2025.”
According to the press release, in his senior year at Iowa City High School, Sutherland “was a second-team all-state performer” and also “excelled” in basketball and baseball.
UNI head coach Todd Stepsis said Sutherland “encapsulates everything we want in a university football Panther.”
Stepsis said, “His talent and ability excited us on a daily basis, but it failed to compare to the type of person and teammate he was.” “Their character, humility, toughness and true love for others are what make champions.”
Adam Amador, who serves as “assistant director of communications” for the university, told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that earlier in the week, on Thursday, “Cedar Falls Fire and Rescue responded to a call at the UNI Athletics facilities.”
CBS 2 Iowa reported that, according to “multiple sources”, Suther reportedly “fell during a workout that day.”
