NFL mourning 18-year-old high school quarterback’s shock death

The NFL and wider football community in the US is mourning after a talented high school quarterback died unexpectedly.

The NFL is mourning the death of Robbie Roper.

Robbie Roper, the quarterback for Roswell high school in the US state of Georgia, who was considering his college options following a successful senior season, has died following complications from a routine surgery. He was 18.

Roper’s family announced his death on Twitter, prompting an immediate outpouring of expressions of sympathy, including from his hometown NFL team the Atlanta Falcons.

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“Football is family,” the Falcons said in a statement.

“And we are saddened by the passing of one of our local high school football family members. May he rest in peace as we keep his family, friends and all those mourning his loss in our prayers.”

Hey everyone, here is the update on Robbie. pic.twitter.com/oZuzCT7czf

— Robbie Roper 6'4 215lb Dual Threat QB / GPA 3.9 (@robbieroper2022) December 22, 2021

Roper led Roswell High to a 10-3 record and final top-10 ranking in Georgia’s Class 7A.

He threw for 3,010 yards and 37 touchdowns and had offers from Massachusetts, Morehead State, Morgan State and Western Carolina, according to the 247 Sports website.

The NFL is mourning the death of Robbie Roper.

He was a highly-touted quarterback.

In announcing his death, Roper’s family said: “He was our biggest joy to our family. We are proud of the young man he has become. He will be missed by his friends and family dearly.”

GREAT TEAM WIN OVER #1 TEAM IN GEORGIA. 7A FOOTBALL IS THE TOUGHEST IN COUNTRY. GO HORNETS. I LOVE THIS TEAM!!! 🏈 #COACHMIL@BALLERSCHOICE1@EnloeClemons@SWiltfong247@JeremyO_Johnson@rvfc10@lukewinstel@samspiegs@ErikRichardsUSA@[e-mail]/mEZX5bchbp

— Robbie Roper 6'4 215lb Dual Threat QB / GPA 3.9 (@robbieroper2022) November 20, 2021

Continue to keep the Roper family in your prayers as well as his teammates, friends, and our Roswell community pic.twitter.com/xWo0oinxDJ

— Chris Prewett (@caprewett) December 23, 2021

Roswell coach Chris Prewett told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Roper was hospitalised Sunday for a surgery that was considered routine.

“Robbie did everything in life with a contagious, positive and energetic attitude that will be missed by all who knew him,” Prewett told the newspaper.

“Robbie fought hard and battled until the very end like he did everything else.”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and has been republished with permission.

Originally published as NFL mourning 18-year-old high school quarterback’s shock death