A former Iowa football player and offensive lineman for the Iowa Buckeyes college football team died suddenly and unexpectedly at just 23 years old.
The New York Post reported Cody Ince died “unexpectedly at his home near Grantsburg, Wisconsin,” according to his obituary.
The cause of death is not yet known.
The Daily Mail reported that Ince was an NFL hopeful and had a “legitimate NFL career” before injuries forced him to quit.
Ince was forced to quit playing with one year of eligibility remaining.
Ince started ten games for Iowa between 2018 and 2021 and racked up a total of 18 from 2020 to 2021, and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection for 2020
“I am incredibly sad to hear about Cody Ince’s sudden passing,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statement.
“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,” Ferentz added.
Former Iowa teammate Arland Bruce IV said Ince “showed [him] what true leadership looks like and how to be a great teammate.”
Bruce IV is the son of a former professional football player, Arland Bruce III.
Tyron Tracy Jr., a former team member, said he “had the honor of knowing and playing with Cody while I was at the University of Iowa. 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,” the message added.
Players said they could tell how much it meant to him to be playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Everybody loved Cody. I think that says a lot about him and his come-up,” said teammate Logan Jones.
“My condolences go out to him and his family and his fiancee as well,” Jones added.
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