University of Northern Iowa freshman football player dies
Updated: 9:46 AM CST Feb 14, 2026
A freshman football player at the University of Northern Iowa died on Saturday morning. The school posted a news release about death at 9 a.m. Saturday, saying, “University of Northern Iowa community is mourning the loss of Panther football student-athlete Parker Sutherland, who passed away on Saturday morning.”Sutherland is an Iowa City native who played in four games at tight end for the Panthers last fall. He is survived by his parents Adam and Jill Sutherland and a sister, Georgia.”I’m heartbroken,” UNI head coach Todd Stepsis said in the release. “No words can express my condolences to Adam, Jill and Georgia. Parker embodied everything we look for in a UNI Football Panther. His talent and potential excited us on a daily basis, but it failed to compare to the type of person and teammate he was. His character, humility, toughness and genuine love of others are what champions are made of. While I’m saddened that our time together was short, we will celebrate the bright light that he brought to our football team for the rest of our lives.”UNI officials said Sutherland’s family has asked for time and space “while they process this unimaginable loss.” No cause of death has been announced.”It is a heartbreaking day for our Panther Athletics family with the passing of our Parker Sutherland. He embraced the opportunity to play Panther football and represent the University through sport,” UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin said in the release. “We are devastated – just devastated. The blessing is that we have a Panther family who will hold the Sutherland family, our football team, and our athletics staff close as we grieve.”» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa —
A freshman football player at the University of Northern Iowa died on Saturday morning.
The school posted a news release about death at 9 a.m. Saturday, saying, “University of Northern Iowa community is mourning the loss of Panther football student-athlete Parker Sutherland, who passed away on Saturday morning.”
Sutherland is an Iowa City native who played in four games at tight end for the Panthers last fall. He is survived by his parents Adam and Jill Sutherland and a sister, Georgia.
“I’m heartbroken,” UNI head coach Todd Stepsis said in the release. “No words can express my condolences to Adam, Jill and Georgia. Parker embodied everything we look for in a UNI Football Panther. His talent and potential excited us on a daily basis, but it failed to compare to the type of person and teammate he was. His character, humility, toughness and genuine love of others are what champions are made of. While I’m saddened that our time together was short, we will celebrate the bright light that he brought to our football team for the rest of our lives.”
University of Northern Iowa
“It is a heartbreaking day for our Panther Athletics family with the passing of our Parker Sutherland,” UNI posted on its website after the freshman’s death Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
UNI officials said Sutherland’s family has asked for time and space “while they process this unimaginable loss.” No cause of death has been announced.
“It is a heartbreaking day for our Panther Athletics family with the passing of our Parker Sutherland. He embraced the opportunity to play Panther football and represent the University through sport,” UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin said in the release. “We are devastated – just devastated. The blessing is that we have a Panther family who will hold the Sutherland family, our football team, and our athletics staff close as we grieve.”
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