Brian Kelly provides update on Greg Brooks Jr.'s health: 'It's a slow, slow process'
As LSU rolls along through spring practice, the question on many people’s minds is the health of Greg Brooks Jr. He was diagnosed with a rare form a brain cancer last season, and his teammates rallied around him through his treatment.
Brian Kelly said he didn’t have much else new to share on Brooks’ health at the moment, although he’s going through his rehabilitation process. However, it’s a bit of a slow roll.
“We haven’t gotten much information over the last month because of where he is,” Kelly said. “We know he’s in intensive daily rehabilitation. He’s up, walking, doing all those things. Doing all of the occupational rehabilitation. It’s just a slow process. But everything is coming back. It’s just a slow, slow process.”
Brooks underwent brain surgery in October after receiving his diagnosis, and tributes poured in from around the SEC and the college football world as a whole. LSU honored him with a tribute on Senior Day, as well, sharing footage of Brooks’ teammates talking about how much he means to them.
The biggest tribute, though, came during the Heisman Trophy ceremony. That’s when Jayden Daniels thanked Brooks for inspiring him to overcome adversity. The two were part of the same transfer class to LSU after Kelly took over, and Daniels told his teammate to stay strong.
“I wanted to end on a special thank you Greg Brooks Jr. and his family. You gave me inspiration to continue on this journey to greatness and keep fighting. Thank you,” Daniels said.
Brooks transferred to LSU from Arkansas ahead of the 2022 season. In his first year with the Tigers, he totaled 66 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions and five pass breakups. He played in just two games in 2023 before his diagnosis, which came after he experienced repeated vertigo and went in for further testing.
Even though he wasn’t with the team every day, the Tigers continued to think of Brooks throughout his cancer journey. He has made quite an impact on the locker room.
“Greg Brooks means a lot to this football team and this football program,” offensive lineman Charles Turner III said. “From the moment he got on campus he’s just one of the hardest-working dudes I’ve been around, one of the happiest dudes I’ve been around. It just gives us that extra motivation. We learned from him you can’t take anything for granted. You never know.”