GRANTSBURG, WISCONSIN: Former Iowa offensive lineman and NFL aspirant Cody Ince died on July 15 at the age of 23. The former Hawkeye was discovered dead in his Grantsburg, Wisconsin, residence. His obituary mentions that the death was unexpected, but no cause of death has been given. Ince was scheduled to marry his fiancée Olivia in Wisconsin in May of 2024, as per the couple's wedding page.
According to Scott Dochterman of The Athletic, Ince had a shot at a "legitimate NFL career" before injuries forced him to give up football. Ince played 10 games for Iowa between 2018 and 2021. Unfortunately, Ince's football career was disrupted by a string of ailments, and he left the Hawkeyes in Iowa City with one year left on his eligibility, as per Daily Mail.
Tyron Tracy Jr, a former Iowa student who later transferred to Purdue, paid tribute to Ince on his memorial page. Tracy wrote, "I have 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. It’s the little things that I will remember! Thank you Cody for being such an amazing person and friend!"
How did Cody Ince die?
No immediate cause for the death was provided. According to his obituary, Ince died "unexpectedly at his home near Grantsburg, Wisconsin" on Saturday, July 15. According to a nearby ABC affiliate, Ince was named Academic All-Big Ten in 2021 and made the Dean's List.
Kirk Ferentz, the head coach of Iowa, said in a statement, "I am incredibly sad to hear about Cody Ince's sudden passing," before adding that Ince was engaged to be married. Ferentz continued, "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. Mary and I are heartbroken for his fiancée, 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."
'Loss of one of our own'
Fans and followers took to social media to pay tribute to the young NFL player who died at 23. Hawkeye Football tweeted, "We’re mourning the loss of one of our own. Rest easy, Cody." One fan replied to the tweet, "Very sad. Prayers for the family." A second mourning follower wrote, "Our prayers for you and the family!" A third fan exclaimed, "Ugh this is just awful….Rest In Peace young man." A fourth follower paid tribute and typed, "May the good Lord bless Cody’s family, teammates and friends in the days ahead." Someone else wrote, "Hug your family. Just never know what tomorrow will bring. Rest easy young man!" Another one chimed in, "From Badger Family sending lots of love and prayers! Rest easy Cody." One more comment read, "So sorry to hear may he rest in peace and those who morn him find solace in the joyful memories they made with him." Another one wrote, "Thoughts and prayers to Cody's family and friends. . To all fans of other teams sending thoughts, wishes and prayers, THANK YOU!"
