Remembering University at Albany Football Standout Amitral AJ Simon Jr.
Amitral “AJ” Simon Jr., a standout player for the University at Albany football program during its journey to the FCS semifinals, died at the age of 25. The program announced Simon’s death in a social media post without disclosing the cause.
Originally from Tobyhanna, Pa., Simon played two seasons at UAlbany after starting his college career at Bloomsburg (Pa.) University. Standing at 6-foot-1, 267 pounds, he was an edge rusher who recorded 17.5 sacks during his time at Albany, with 12.5 of them coming in the 2023 season, which saw the team finish with an 11-4 record.
The UAlbany football program expressed deep sadness over the passing of Amitral ‘AJ’ Simon, highlighting his character as a young man and teammate during his time in Albany. Simon had left school after the 2023 season and was looking forward to being drafted in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Athletic’s Dane Brugler praised Simon's effort on tape and noted that his competitive play personality had garnered attention from NFL teams. The news of Simon's passing was described as heartbreaking for many, including the NFL community.
(Photo: Matthew Lynch / Cal Sport Media via Associated Press)
Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues, and clubs. Dive deep into exclusive stories with a week on us. ⚽📰
