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Sutherland Today
By the People, for the People
Northern Iowa Tight End Parker Sutherland Dies at 18
The university announced the death of the 18-year-old football player on Saturday.
Published on Feb. 15, 2026
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Northern Iowa football player Parker Sutherland died on Saturday at the age of 18, the university announced. The school's statement did not reveal the cause of death, but on Thursday, Cedar Falls Fire and Rescue responded to a call from the university's football complex for an 'unconscious/fainting (non trauma)' incident. Sutherland was a 6-foot-6 tight end who played in four games as a freshman for the Panthers in 2025.
Why it matters
The death of a young student-athlete is always a tragic event that shakes a university community. Sutherland was described as embodying the values and character that the football program looks for, making his passing even more difficult for his teammates, coaches, and the broader Northern Iowa community.
The details
Sutherland played three sports at Iowa City High School and was a second-team All-State football selection in 2024. He played in four games as a freshman for the Northern Iowa Panthers in 2025. The university's statement said Sutherland 'embodied everything we look for in a UNI Football Panther' and praised his 'character, humility, toughness and genuine love of others.'
- 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)'.
- Sutherland died on Saturday morning, February 14, 2026.
The players
Parker Sutherland
An 18-year-old tight end who played for the Northern Iowa football team.
Todd Stepsis
The head coach of the Northern Iowa football team.
Megan Franklin
The athletic director at Northern Iowa.
Adam Sutherland
Parker Sutherland's father.
Jill Sutherland
Parker Sutherland's mother.
What they’re saying
“I'm heartbroken. 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.”
— Todd Stepsis, Head Coach (Northern Iowa University)
“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.”
— Megan Franklin, Athletic Director (Northern Iowa University)
The takeaway
The tragic passing of Parker Sutherland at just 18 years old is a devastating loss for the Northern Iowa community. His coaches and teammates remembered him as an exceptional young man who embodied the values of the football program, and his death will leave a lasting impact on all who knew him.
