LSU Safety Greg Brooks Jr. Diagnosed with Rare Brain Cancer: ‘He Fights Like a Tiger Each Day’

“Greg is a fighter and a winner, and we believe wholeheartedly that he will conquer this battle with cancer,” LSU President William F. Tate IV said

Louisiana State University football player Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, medulloblastoma, the university announced in a statement Wednesday.

Brooks, 22, underwent emergency brain surgery on Sept. 15, to remove the tumor that was located between his cerebellum and brain stem. "The surgery was successful in removing the tumor, and there is no evidence that the cancer has spread," Catherine O’Neal, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Health said Wednesday.

O’Neal added, “As he begins rehab in the coming weeks, Greg’s family and care team will determine a treatment plan in collaboration with nationally recognized specialists in this specific form of brain cancer.”

Related: LSU Football's Greg Brooks Undergoes Emergency Brain Surgery to Remove Tumor: ‘We Await Further Clarity'

Brooks still has a long journey ahead and will face months of intensive rehabilitation after the surgery impacted his speech and ability to communicate, O'Neal explained in the statement.

“Greg has been a daily inspiration to us all,” the Brooks family said in the statement. “He fights like a Tiger each day and continues to make incremental improvements. We have a long road ahead and are appreciative of the support from our LSU family and Tiger fans.”

“Greg is a fighter and a winner, and we believe wholeheartedly that he will conquer this battle with cancer," LSU President William F. Tate IV added.

Medulloblastoma is a cancerous brain tumor that affects between 350-500 people in the U.S. every year and is most commonly found in children, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Following the university’s statement, LSU head coach Brian Kelly shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Brooks’ family has support from his team.

“Greg and his entire family and support system have been incredibly strong throughout all of this. Our program continues to pray and support Greg in his fight," Kelly wrote. "We ask that you help the Brooks family and support the fund as he continues in the journey ahead." He included a link to the Greg Brooks Jr. Victory Fund, which the Tiger Athletic Foundation established to help his family.

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“Our senior captain Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, medulloblastoma. Please continue to pray for 3 and support the Greg Brooks Fund at the link in our bio 💛,” read an X post from the LSU Tigers' profile. The team included a photo of the safety in uniform at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Related: Teen Mom Diagnosed with Terminal Brain Cancer Finds Strength in Motherhood: 'I Have No Fear'

Before Brooks’ emergency surgery, Kelly said during a SEC teleconference that Brooks began experiencing vertigo symptoms earlier this year and that reappeared on Sept. 13, reports ESPN. Brooks felt dizzy and underwent an MRI, which revealed the tumor that day, Kelly said.

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The Louisiana native previously played for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks for three seasons before he transferred to LSU.

In 2022, he started 13 of 14 games and recorded 66 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a sack and five passes defended. He played in LSU’s first two games of the 2023 season, helping them to a 2-1 start.

Fans can contribute to The Greg Brooks Victory Fund here.

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