LSU Football Player Greg Brooks Jr. Diagnosed With Rare Brain Cancer Following Emergency Surgery

Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer

Oct 5, 2023 - 12:00

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LSU Football Player Greg Brooks Jr. Diagnosed With Rare Brain Cancer Following Emergency Surgery

College football player Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer after having emergency surgery three weeks ago to remove a tumor in his brain.

According to USA Today, Brooks, who plays safety for the Louisiana State University Tigers football team, has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma. The announcement came from his family, school, and the medical team from Our Lady of the Lake Health in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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.

Please support the Greg Brooks Jr. Victory Fund as he continues to battle. https://t.co/TUElsbDAIf pic.twitter.com/FJYNIo5Lkj

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 4, 2023

Last month, Brooks reportedly got an MRI after experiencing vertigo, a condition he had dealt with throughout the preseason. The results of the MRI revealed that the LSU athlete had a brain tumor. He had emergency surgery three weeks ago to remove a tumor between his cerebellum and brainstem. After further testing, it was determined he had cancer.

“For the last three weeks, Greg has been recovering from an extensive surgery to remove a brain tumor that was located between his cerebellum and brainstem,” said Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Health in Baton Rouge. “The surgery was successful in removing the tumor, and there is no evidence that the cancer has spread.”

In a written statement from LSU, the Brooks family said, “We have a long road ahead and are appreciative of the support from our LSU family and Tiger fans. Greg is a warrior! Please continue to keep Keep No. 3 and our entire family in your prayers.”

LSU’s Tiger Athletic Foundation set up the Greg Brooks Victory Fund.

“The Greg Brooks Victory Fund will be operated by TAF and will offset the costs related to Greg’s care, including treatment, medicine, therapy, travel, and more,” according to the foundation.

Brooks, who grew up in Louisiana, played three seasons with Arkansas from 2019 to 2022 before transferring to LSU in 2022.

His former team sent well wishes his way via their social media account.

Please continue to keep Greg in your thoughts. We’re all with him for the battle! https://t.co/N8oAZQCAHv

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) October 4, 2023

Brooks started two games this season and recorded eight tackles and two passes defended. The team captain’s last game was in the Tigers’ blowout 72-10 victory over Grambling University on Sept. 9.