Former Iowa offensive lineman Cody Ince dead at 23

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Cody Ince, a former offensive lineman for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has died at 23 years old.

Ince died “unexpectedly at his home near Grantsburg, Wisconsin” on Saturday, according to his obituary.

A cause of death was not immediately revealed.

From 2018-21, Ince started 10 games for Iowa, appearing in a total of 29.

“I am incredibly sad to hear about Cody Ince’s sudden passing,” Kirk Ferentz, the head coach of Iowa, 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. 

“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.”

According to ABC affiliate KCRG, Ince was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and made Dean’s List in the Spring semester of 2021.

Cody was born on December 18, 1999, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin to Tammy and Marty Ince. Tammy Owczynsky-Ince/Facebook
Cody Ince, who played offensive line at Iowa from 2018-21, has died at 23 years old. AP

Scott Dochterman, who covers Iowa for The Athletic, tweeted that Ince had a shot at being a “legitimate NFL career” before he was derailed by injuries and retired from football a year before his college eligibility was up.

On Ince’s memorial page, Tyron Tracy Jr., who started in college at Iowa before transferring to Purdue, remembered Ince fondly.

“I have had the honor of knowing and playing with Cody while I was at the University of Iowa,” Tracy wrote.

Ince, 23, passed away unexpectedly at his home near Grantsburg, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Family Handout
Cody Ince (no. 73) and Iowa teammates celebrate touchdown versus Nebraska in 2021. Getty Images
Cody Ince blocks for Iowa QB Spencer Petras in game versus Iowa State in 2021. Getty Images

“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!”

Ince’s survivors include his fiancé, Olivia Tucker, his parents, Tammy and Marty Ince, his sister, Carly Ince and her fiancé, Drew Alderman.

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