Super Bowl champion Brady Poppinga hails ‘compassionate and empathetic’ son Julius a week on from his tragic death at age of 17 – as he reveals details of memorial fund in his honor

Ex-NFL linebacker and 2010 Super Bowl champion (XLV) Brady Poppinga has hailed his ‘compassionate and empathetic’ son Julius just a week after his tragic death at age 17, revealing details of a memorial fund set up in his honor on social media. 

The teenager died last month after suffering a severe asthma attack that had caused a collapsed lung, according to The Ventura County Star.

And on Tuesday, his father shared a heartfelt and lengthy message along with a snap of his son in his high school football uniform. Julius was a defensive end at Westlake High School – approximately 39.1 miles from Los Angeles – in California.

‘Our 17 year old son passed away this last week. He was a special soul that was an influence for good to All that he came in contact with,’ wrote Brady. ‘From a young age he was drawn to spiritual things. He was compassionate and empathetic. He sought out to uplift others. 

‘He went from a skinny and slow boy to a big and powerful young man that represented his meteoric ascent as a soul. I am as proud of him as a father as I could be of a son. I love him and he will raise me up as I go to him. 

Julius Poppinga died after suffering a severe asthma attack that had caused a collapsed lung

Julius’s elder sister, Jasmine, (CL) shared several images of the pair and their family last month

Brady Poppinga was a linebacker for Green Bay for five seasons, winning a Super Bowl in 2010

‘To honor Julius’s life click on the www.remberingjuliuspoppinga.com website found in my bio to contribute to his memorial fund and share memories you may have had of him.’

A celebration of Julius’ life will be held on Saturday, September 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ in Thousand Oaks, which is roughly 39.4miles away from Los Angeles. 

West Lake High School announced Julius’ death on August 30. 

The Los Angeles Times reported that Julius appeared in the school’s season opener on August 18 but hadn’t played or practiced since.

Jasmine Poppinga – far left – paid tribute to her younger brother on Instagram last month

Julius played football just like his father, although at defensive end, for Westlake High School

Jasmine Poppinga paid tribute to her younger brother on Instagram.

‘(T)aking this tragic event and looking at it in a positive way has been hard, but instead of grieving I would rather celebrate his 17 wonderful and beautiful years on this earth and all the impacts he made in my life, my families, his peers, teammates, teachers, coaches, and anyone who has ever met him,’ she wrote. 

‘julius’s caring and supportive traits have supported me throughout my whole life. i am beyond proud to be his sister and best friend.’

Brady Poppinga played in 100 NFL games (57 starts) over eight seasons, the first six in Green Bay (2005-10), followed by single-season stints with the then-St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys.

 The 2010 Packers won the Super Bowl.