Brian Kelly shares update on the health, recovery of Greg Brooks, Jr.
LSU head football coach Brian Kelly shared an update on the health and recovery of Tigers’ safety Greg Brooks, Jr. on Thursday evening. Brooks has recently been going through a battle with a rare form of brain cancer.
In his Thursday evening press conference, Kelly said, “The last I got was late last week. He had another procedure to assist in his recovery. He’s in rehab and working through that process. Nothing that I can say that all is great. He’s still in a battle but is making some progress.”
More on Greg Brooks, Jr. and his rare form of brain cancer
Everyone involved with the LSU Football program has had defensive back Greg Brooks on their mind recently. He has been away from the football field and in the hospital. On Wednesday, it was announced Brooks has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
“The Brooks family, LSU Athletics, and Our Lady of the Lake Health announced today that Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, medulloblastoma,” a tweet from LSU Football said. “Please support the Greg Brooks Jr. Victory Fund as he continues to battle.”
You can find the link to the Greg Brooks Jr. Victory Fund here.
Brian Kelly spoke out after Brooks’ diagnosis as well, saying LSU will continue to be there to support their player. He asked for donations to the Victory Fund to help the Brooks family through what is going to be a journey.
“Greg and his entire family and support system have been incredibly strong throughout all of this,” Kelly said via Twitter. “Our program continues to pray and support Greg in his fight. We ask that you help the Brooks family and support the fund as he continues in the journey ahead.”
Brooks is a graduate student and in his second season with the LSU program. He previously played for Arkansas but decided to return to his home state of Louisiana to finish out his college football career.
Sam Pittman was Brooks’ former head coach for two years. Ahead of Arkansas visiting Baton Rouge for the LSU matchup this season, Pittman expressed his desire to help out the Brooks family in any way they possibly can.
“If it’s at all possible, if I thought that it would help him, I certainly would,” Pittman said. “Would do a lot of things.”
Arkansas wore a No. 3 decal during the game to honor their former player. While they might be rivals on the field, they are able to come together when someone they both love is going through a tough time.
“Thank you, Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Football program for your support of Greg,” Kelly said following the game. “This is bigger than football. Please continue to keep the Brooks family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Brooks will continue to fight medulloblastoma and have the support of the entire college football world behind him. LSU will continue to do everything they can to support him through the journey.
On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.