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A college football player died Saturday after collapsing during practice earlier in the week.
University of Northern Iowa tight end Parker Sutherland was just 18 years old when he was performing a “normal” routine with his teammates and suddenly collapsed.
“I’m heartbroken…” Northern Iowa head coach Todd Stepsis said in a statement. “Parker embodies everything we look for at UNI Football Panther. His talent and potential excited us every day, but it didn’t compare to the type of person and teammate he was. His character, humility, toughness and genuine love for others is what champions are made of. While I am saddened that our time together was short, we will celebrate the bright light he brought to our football team for the rest of our lives.”
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Northern Iowa adjuster Parker Sutherland died in February 2025. (IMAGN/University of Northern Iowa)
“He jumped at the opportunity to play Panther football and represent the University through athletics,” added UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin. “We are devastated, just devastated. The blessing is that we have a Panther family that will keep the Sutherland family, our football team and our athletic staff close as we grieve.”
Stepsis said the team was training Thursday morning when “they were done with our warm-up and on a routine, normal Thursday, and it collapsed.”
“He’s one of one,” Stepsis said. “Just an incredible person, an incredible family. He’s the kind of guy you want to be on a team with. If I could have 110 Parkers, I would have them. We’re not going to be able to replace him, but who he is as a person, he always had a smile on his face. He always made people feel good about themselves. So for us, it’s not about replacing him, it’s about finding something extra inside that can help fill that void and close that void when he’s gone.”
Iowa City High’s Parker Sutherland (88) celebrates a first down against Iowa City Liberty on Friday, September 6, 2024 at Iowa City High in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA Today Network)
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“Our team understands that and recognizes it, and they want to play for Parker. They want to live like Parker. They want to make an impact like he did.”
Sutherland, of Iowa City, played in four games in his first season after being a three-sport varsity athlete in high school.
His bio on the Northern Iowa athletics page says he enjoyed “video games, watching movies, pickleball and Legos.”
A memorial for Sutherland was held in front of the UNI Dome on Monday, and KWWL said “hundreds” attended.
Sutherland was a three-sport athlete in high school before attending UNI. (University of Northern Iowa)
“I mean that poor guy, I didn’t even know how good looking he was. He never did his hair. He wore black on black. It was just, ‘Hey, come down and change.'” ‘Okay’ ‘Why?’ It didn’t affect him. He didn’t care. He didn’t care in the slightest about anything. He didn’t care what he wore or what he bought,” his father, Adam, said at the funeral. “All he wanted to do was eat and sleep and hang out with the boys. That’s all.
“And build Legos. Honestly.”
