Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga spoke out following the death of his 16-year-old son, Julius, after a severe asthma attack.
On Thursday, Poppinga, 43, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his gratitude for the support he received.
“I would like to thank EVERYONE for their unbelievably beautiful, sweet and loving compassion sent our way. Julius is a special soul who has touched so many lives,” he wrote.
Poppinga continued, “He is missed, but we KNOW that through the Savior, we will see him and be with him again.”
He concluded his post with the hashtag, “Families are forever.”
Users on X extended their condolences to Poppinga during his tragic loss.
“Love you [Brady Poppinga] Sending love to you and your family,” former Green Bay Packer cornerback William Blackmon wrote.
Senior Associate Athletic Director of Brigham Young University Liz Darger recalled fond memories she had with Poppinga.
“Sending prayers and love and light to your family. I still remember you and Logan happily helping me move in college,” she wrote.
Sending prayers and love and light to your family. I still remember you and Logan happily helping me move in college. No doubt Julius is the same kind of generous soul as you. Bless you, Brady.
— Liz Darger (@lizdarger) September 1, 2023
Darger continued, “No doubt Julius is the same kind of generous soul as you. Bless you, Brady.”
Love you @BradyPoppinga 🙏🏾
— Will Blackmon (@WillBlackmon) August 31, 2023
Sending love to you and your family. https://t.co/wJkhjMFnf6
Another user wrote, “Brady, Brooke and girls – our thoughts and prayers are with you and we share our deepest sympathies for the loss of your little boy. We share in your faith knowing the love of our Savior Jesus Christ will provide you with comfort and peace.”
“Oh my gosh that sucks I’m so sorry for the family,” one user wrote calling the tragedy “Terrible all the way around.”
Oh my gosh that sucks I’m so sorry for the family. Terrible all the way around. I hope the Lord can give them some peace.
— #11 Salt Lake Jake (@SaltLakeJake) August 31, 2023
The user added, “I hope the Lord can give them some peace.”
On Wednesday, the Ventura County Star reported the high school junior and varsity football player “died after suffering a severe asthma attack and ultimately a collapsed lung” last week.
The school’s principal Jason Branham sent out an email to the school community extending condolences to those closest to him and “everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and interacting with him.”
“At Westlake and throughout CVUSD, one of our greatest strengths is our caring and close community, which makes it all the more important that we continue to support and be there for one another in this incomprehensible time of loss and sadness,” he wrote, per the outlet.