The football community has been rocked recently by the emotional journey of Greg Brooks Jr., a former LSU defensive back whose dreams of reaching the NFL were cut short by a devastating brain tumor diagnosis.
In a heart-wrenching interview on Ryan Clark’s “The Pivot” podcast, the player opened up about his struggles, leaving fans reflecting on what it takes to face such life-altering setbacks.
LSU’s Greg Brooks Jr. Emotionally Addresses the Medical Setback That Changed His Football Future
Greg Brooks Jr. played defensive back for the LSU Tigers. In 2023, he was a team captain and a player with big dreams of making it to the NFL and reaching the peak of his career. At just 23, he was on the cusp of a professional career when his life took a devastating turn. In August 2023, he started experiencing troubling symptoms during practice.
At first, the symptoms were dismissed, but by September, the reality was revealed—it was discovered he had a brain tumor.
The next line of action was an emergency surgery on September 15, 2023. The procedure saved his life but came with major complications. The surgery left him partially paralyzed, ending his football career just as it was taking off.
In an interview that was hosted by former NFL and LSU star Ryan Clark, Brook shared his story with raw emotion, and fans can’t hold back their emotions.
His vulnerability struck a chord with fans, who have followed his journey from a promising athlete to a cancer survivor fighting to reclaim his life.
“Saddest story I’ve seen in a while, every time I see it, I get chills, may God be with me,” one fan reacted.
The football community has come together to support Brooks in small yet significant ways. Last season, the program honored him during a game against Arkansas by wearing helmets featuring his No. 3. Brooks and his family still have a long journey ahead in their fight.
RELATED: Greg Brooks’ Family Fires Back — 16-Month Silence by Coach Brian Kelly Sparks Legal Storm
His recovery is slow, with gradual improvements in his speech and mobility, but the road ahead remains long. Despite the challenges, he has a message for young athletes.
“Don’t hesitate to speak up if something feels off.”
It’s a lesson he wishes he had learned earlier, and one he hopes will help others avoid a similar fate.
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