LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Julius Poppinga, the 17-year-old son of former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga and his wife Brooke Hubbard, tragically died on Wednesday, August 30.
Julius was hospitalized following a severe asthma attack that resulted in a collapsed lung. Despite the best efforts, he could not recover from this critical condition, leaving his family and loved ones in profound grief.
Julius is one of the three children of Brady Poppinga and Brooke Hubbard. The confirmation of his passing came through a social media post by his sister Jasmine.
Who was Julius Poppinga?
Julius, a senior at Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks, California, was an active student-athlete who excelled in both football and lacrosse.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Westlake High School remains scheduled to compete in a game against Thousand Oaks this Friday, September 1.
Westlake coach Mark Serve shared with the Los Angeles Times that Julius' father, Brady, expressed that Julius would have wanted the team to go ahead and play the game.
Ex-NFL player Brady Poppinga opens up about son Julius Poppinga's death
"I would like to thank EVERYONE for their unbelievably beautiful, sweet and loving compassion sent our way," Brady Poppinga, 43, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
He added, "Julius is a special soul who has touched so many lives. He is missed, but we KNOW that through the Savior, we will see him and be with him again."
Brady Poppinga had a notable NFL career. He was selected as a fourth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2005 and played six of his eight NFL seasons with the Packers.
During his time in Green Bay, he achieved the pinnacle of success by winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2011. Poppinga also had brief stints with both the St Louis Rams and the Dallas Cowboys towards the end of his NFL career.
Poppinga's former teammates have extended their support and given their condolences during this trying period.
Former Packer Will Blackmon wrote on X, "Love you @BradyPoppinga. Sending love to you and your family." Free agent linebacker Kyle Van Noy wrote, "Love you bro! That’s it! Much love!"
Former Jet and Patriot Matt Chatham wrote, "I realize that mine is a mainly northeast & IA/SD audience, but for those who recall the good ol’ days of @FBbyFB, please send our friend @BradyPoppinga & his family right to the top of your prayer list."
