ROSWELL, Ga. — An entire community is in mourning after a local football star died unexpectedly.
Robbie Roper was Roswell High School’s quarterback and Channel 2′s Matt Johnson learned that Roper made a huge impact on his school on and off the field.
“Robbie is a great kid. He’s going to be really, really missed,” Roswell High School’s head football coach Chris Prewett said.
A vigil was held Wednesday night at the school’s football stadium where teammates, parents and the community mourned the 18-year-old together.
“We’re doing our best as far as just listening to kids, letting them vent and, you know, just really being there for them,” Prewett said.
Prewett said Roper went to a Florida hospital for routine surgery but died from complications afterwards.
“He had a successful surgery. He was doing well. And I think his health turned for the worse,” Prewett said.
His family announced his passing on social media by saying, “He was the biggest joy to our family. We are proud of the young man he has become.”
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
Family members have not yet revealed the exact cause of death but he’s being remembered as a model student athlete on the field and off.
“He was funny. He was energetic. He was everything you wanted to see as a student athlete,” Prewett said.
Roper was weighing multiple offers to play Division I college football.
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It was who he was off the field that made coaches and family members change their pictures to Roper’s “No. 5″ on social media.
Her sister posting that everyone should “live like five.”
“It’s live life to the fullest, which I think is what he did,” Prewett said.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 22, 2021
Roper just finished his senior season and led the Hornets to the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals.
The dual-threat quarterback received college offers from UMass, Morehead State, Morgan State and Western Carolina, according to 247sports.com. He also was getting some looks from the University of Florida.
Coaches, players and schools from across north Fulton and Georgia have offered their condolences on social media.
According to the Roper family, he will be laid to rest Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Woodstock First Baptist. A visitation will be held Monday evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Poole Funeral Home in Woodstock. Both are open to the public.
The family asks that instead of sending flowers, those who want to show their support should donate to the Robbie Roper Scholarship Fund that is being established in his honor. You can donate by clicking here.
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