Former Iowa Hawkeye Lineman Dies Unexpectedly

The Iowa football community is in mourning after it was announced on July 20th, 2023 that a former Hawkeye offensive lineman has passed away at the age of 23.

According to his obituary, Cody Ince died "unexpectedly" at his home in Grantsburg, WI on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The St. Croix native was a member of the Hawkeyes from 2018 to 2023 where he played in 29 games, starting 10 of them.

Hawkeye football head coach Kirk Ferentz released a statement on Ince's death, finding the right words during a time of just heartbreaking tragedy:

I am incredibly sad to hear about Cody Ince’s sudden passing,” Iowa Hawkeyes head football coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statement Tuesday morning. “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.

Ince was successful both on and off the field, being an Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his collegiate playing career, as well as earning recognition on the spring semester dean’s list in 2021, per KCRG.

Unfortunately, injuries prevented Ince from making the jump to the NFL, and he'd hang up his football cleats last year, per The Athletic. Meanwhile, a visitation for Ince is planned for July 23rd from 2-4pm at the Unity High School Gymnasium in Balsam Lake, WI, with a Celebration of Life to be held at BowTine Event Center in Amery, WI.

Ince's family has asked in lieu of flowers, to please donate memorials to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Cody's name — a sweet and moving gesture given the school's deep connection to that hospital.

Read more about Ince's playing career with the Iowa Hawkeyes on the Hawkeyes' website, and find out more about him on KCRG's website.