Robbie Roper, Georgia high school quarterback recruited by UConn, passes away
Robbie Roper, a Georgia high school quarterback who was being recruited by UConn, died Wednesday from complications following routine surgery.
The UConn football team sends our most heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Roper Family,” UConn coach Jim Mora said via Twitter on Wednesday. “[Robbie] was a fine young man who will be greatly missed and always held up with great honor and wonderful memories. [Rest in peace] Robbie, forever in our hearts.”
UConn and UMass were among several schools that had made scholarship offers to Roper. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior led Roswell High School to a 10-3 record and the Georgia Class 7A state quarterfinals this season, passing for 3,010 yards and 37 touchdowns and had a 3.9 GPA.
According to CBS46-TV in Atlanta, Roper had complications stemming from anesthesia following shoulder surgery in Florida earlier this week.
“He was the biggest joy to our family,” The Roper family said via Twitter. “We are proud of the young man he has become. He will be missed by friends and family dearly.”
Robbie’s sister Breanna, an Ole Miss softball player, said her brother was able to touch so many hearts.
“I am beyond proud of the man he has become and can only wish to be half as good of a teammate, leader and person that Robbie was,” she said via Twitter.
Roswell High released a statement saying, “Robbie was an incredible young man and made a huge impact on his teammates, classmates and the community. No. 5 will never be forgotten. ... A wonderful young man was taken from this world way too soon.”
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com
