University of Northern Iowa first-year tight end and City High graduate Parker Sutherland died Saturday morning, the university announced. Sutherland was 18 years old.

“I’m heartbroken,” said UNI football head coach Todd Stepsis in a statement. “No words can express my condolences to Adam, Jill and Georgia.”

Stepsis also praised the impact Sutherland made on the UNI Football team.

“His character, humility, toughness and genuine love of others are what champions are made of,” Stepsis said in a statement. “We will celebrate the bright light that he brought to our football team for the rest of our lives.”

Sutherland played in four games for the Panthers this past season. 

In his personal bio for the UNI football team it said that Sutherland enjoyed playing video games, watching movies, playing pickleball, and building legos in his free time.

UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin also gave a statement regarding Sutherland’s death.

“It is a heartbreaking day for our Panther Athletics family with the passing of our Parker Sutherland,” Franklin said in a statement. 

Other schools have since put out statements and posts honoring the 18-year-old student athlete

Iowa City High, Sutherland’s high school, posted a statement on X regarding the City High alum’s death.

“He never failed to pick his teammates up or make them smile,” the post said. “He was a Little Hawk through and through.”

Sutherland graduated from City High in spring 2025. He played football, basketball, and baseball during his time at the school.

The University of Iowa football program also posted a statement to its Instagram account, offering condolences to Sutherland’s family and friends as well as the UNI and City High football communities.

UNI has not announced Sutherland’s cause of death.