Robbie Roper remembered as ‘model citizen’ on and off field

Robbie Roper, a star quarterback who led Roswell to a top-10 state ranking this past season, died, his family announced on social media Wednesday.

Roswell coach Chris Prewett told the AJC that Roper was hospitalized Sunday in Gainesville, Fla., for complications following routine surgery.

The coach called Roper “a model citizen” on and off the field.

“Robbie did everything in life with a contagious, positive and energetic attitude that will be missed by all who knew him,” Prewett said. “Robbie fought hard and battled until the very end like he did everything else.”

Roper’s family posted the news on Twitter just after noon Wednesday. Within a little more than an hour, it had received more than 1,000 condolences.

“He was our biggest joy to our family,” the family stated. “We are proud of the young man he has become. We will be missed by his friends and family dearly.”

His sister, Brenna Roper, had posted late Tuesday that her brother was still fighting for his life. She is an Ole Miss softball player who played the past four seasons at Georgia Tech.

“Robbie was able to touch so many hearts,” Breanna said in a Twitter post Wednesday afternoon. “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.”

Roswell principal Robert Shaw called him a ‘’respected, well-liked student and a leader in our football program.’'

Roper was a senior with multiple college scholarship offers. He passed for 3,010 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading Roswell to a 10-3 finish and a top-10 final ranking in Class 7A this season.

Roper was voted by his region’s coaches as the Region 5-7A offensive player of the year.