The Northern Iowa football community is grieving the loss of one of its own.
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Parker Sutherland, a freshman tight end for the Northern Iowa Panthers football, died on Feb. 14 after collapsing during an offseason practice earlier in the week.
Students, teammates and community members gathered outside the McLeod Center for a vigil days later, surrounding the Panther statue to honor Sutherland and the impact he had already made on the program.
Though he was only a freshman, Sutherland appeared in four games during the season and earned Scout Team Player of the Week honors in November.
Courtesy University of Northern Iowa
His coaches say his presence meant far more than statistics.
"I'm heartbroken," head coach Todd Stepsis said, via the Northern Iowan. "Parker embodied everything we look for in a UNI Panther. His talent excited us, but it was his character, humility and love for others that truly stood out."
Sutherland grew up in Iowa City and starred at Iowa City High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He earned all-state honors on the football field and helped lead his baseball team to a state championship.
Former coaches say he was the kind of player teammates looked up to.
The loss has been felt across Iowa. Schools left stadium lights on in his honor, and moments of silence have been held at local sporting events.
