The University of Northern Iowa is grieving the death of 18-year-old tight end Parker Sutherland. Sutherland, who played American football for the UNI Panthers, passed away on Saturday morning, as announced by the school. The freshman, who featured in four matches during the 2025 season, died just days shy of his 19th birthday.

The NCAA programme did not reveal a cause of death, respecting the family’s privacy. The tragedy deeply affected the students at the Cedar Falls campus. The university enrolled nearly 10,000 students for the academic year, marking a historic second occasion.

“It is a heartbreaking day for our Panther Athletics family with the passing of our Parker Sutherland,” stated UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin.

“He embraced the opportunity to play Panther football and represent the university through sport. We are devastated. Just devastated.”

Head coach Todd Stepsis portrayed Sutherland as a young man whose influence reached beyond the pitch. He expressed his devastation upon hearing the news.

“I’m heartbroken,” Stepsis said. “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 team-mate he was.”

Standing at six feet and six inches and weighing 221 pounds, Sutherland was a freshman in exploratory studies and was beginning to carve out a role in the Panthers’ offence.

The Panthers’ website reveals that the tight end featured in matches against Utah Tech, North Dakota, Illinois State, and Murray State.

During his senior year at Iowa City High, he secured second-team all-state honours and was twice named all-district and all-conference. He also showcased his athletic versatility by competing in basketball and baseball.

Away from the football pitch, Sutherland reportedly enjoyed video games, films, pickleball, and Lego building. He leaves behind his parents, Adam and Jill Sutherland, and his sister, Georgia.

The family has asked for time and privacy as they come to terms with what the university described as an “unimaginable loss.”

Support services are being provided to students, faculty, and staff as the campus community mourns.