AJ Simon’s final Instagram post was flooded with tributes, including a heartbreaking comment from his apparent girlfriend at the time of his death.
The defensive lineman, who hoped to play in the NFL, died just days before the draft, and the University at Albany announced his death Wednesday. No cause of death has been revealed.
Since then, Simon’s latest Instagram post, which showed him training at Albany’s pro day, has received tons of well wishes, with a woman who appears to be his girlfriend writing “I will never understand why you left this earth.”
“I constantly look at your insta and wish you were still here,” he wrote. ‘We had a whole life planned together and I will never understand why you left this earth. I love you very much and please protect me and take care of me. I can’t wait to see you again, I love you with all my heart.
The woman, named Symone Costin, graduated from Bloomsbury University according to her. LinkedIn page. Simon began his university career at Bloomsbury.
AJ Simon’s death at the age of 25 was announced by the University at Albany earlier this week.
His latest Instagram post was flooded with tributes, including one from his apparent girlfriend.
Simon’s teammate Julian Hicks also wrote a touching message beneath the Instagram post.
Another commenter wrote: ‘This is very sad. Weeks ago this man was giving everything to live his dream. God bless his soul. God bless his family.’
Simon’s Albany teammate Julian Hicks also wrote: “Love you bro, look at us.”
On April 17, Albany said in a statement: ‘The University at Albany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral ‘AJ’ Simon this morning.
‘AJ was a tremendous young man and an even better teammate during his time at UAlbany. He was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar of this program for the past two years.
The Bloomsburg football program also said it was “saddened to learn” of the death of its former player.
“AJ was not only a tremendous player, but an even better teammate and person,” Bloomsburg posted in a statement on social media. “He was a role model during his time here in Bloomsburg and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
Simon, who recorded 12.5 sacks and 55 tackles as a senior, was also remembered by his family in a message posted on GoFundMe.
Simon tragically died at the age of 25 on Wednesday. The cause of his death is unknown.
Simon racked up 12.5 sacks and 55 tackles in his final season of college football.
TO GoFundMe The page created to cover funeral expenses has raised more than $20,000 as of Friday afternoon.
‘AJ was an incredible son, brother, uncle, teammate, friend and inspiration to many. He was a star on and off the field with an immense impact on youth and the community. His smile was contagious,’ the message read.
‘His laugh and presence would light up a room. He was at the peak of his football career with the NFL draft ahead of him. AJ’s love for the game was known to all who knew him. We are very proud of the man he was and continues to be. We will continue to cheer you on forever through cherished memories.
The note concluded: “If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.”