19 July 2023 , 17:40
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Cody Ince, a former offensive lineman for the University of Iowa, passed away at 23 in his home in Wisconsin on Saturday. Although the cause of his death has not been disclosed, his obituary stated that he died "unexpectedly."
Ince is survived by his fiancée, Olivia Tucker, to whom he was engaged to be married. His parents and sister also survive him.
Kirk Ferentz, the head coach of Iowa Hawkeyes Football since 1999, released a message through the team's social media channels to express his condolences for Ince's family.
"I am incredibly sad to hear about Cody Ince's sudden passing," said Ferentz. "Cody was a tremendous young man, valued teammate, and contributor to our program."
"He loved football, fishing, and hunting, and believed in the importance of family and friendships. Cody was just beginning this next chapter of his life and was about to be married.
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Mary [his wife] and I are heartbroken for his fiancee, his family, and all his friends who knew and loved him. All of us in the football program - his coaches and teammates- are mourning his loss."
Unfortunately, injuries prevented Ince from pursuing a professional career in the NFL, which led to an early retirement from the sport. He was a student at Unity High School in Wisconsin, where he played on the offensive line for the football team.
Later, Ince continued his football career at the University of Iowa, where he played 29 games and started in 10 for the Hawkeyes. His teammates and the football community expressed their sorrows for the tragic passing on social media.
"Very sorry to learn of former Hawkeye Cody Ince's passing," wrote Gary Dolphin, Hawkeye play-by-play radio man. "Soft-spoken, gentle giant, great personality. Our sympathies to Cody's family and friends. Prayers and love."
"Rest easy, brother," wrote Iowa football alum Michael Sleep-Dalton.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., a former teammate of Ince from Iowa, shared a heartfelt comment on Ince's obituary page in remembrance of his friend. Tyrone Tracy Jr., a former teammate of Ince from Iowa, shared a heartfelt comment on Ince's obituary page in remembrance of his friend.
"I have had the honor of knowing and playing with Cody while I was at the University of Iowa," he wrote. "He was not only a great teammate but an amazing person! Always smiling and cracking jokes, but he took his job on the field personally, and I loved that about him."
"He used to always bring in deer jerky or sunflower seeds, and he made sure I got some every time. It's the little things that I will remember! Thank you, Cody, for being such an amazing person and friend!"