Former LSU football defensive back [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag], a team captain whose career ended last September when he underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor, has filed a lawsuit against the university as well as Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center citing negligence.
In the lawsuit, which Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger obtained, Brooks accuses the football staff of inaction and threatening his starting position if he didn’t practice and play while experiencing symptoms, which began in August 39 days before he was ultimately scheduled to meet with a neurologist by trainers.
Per Dellenger, the lawsuit accuses the trainers of misdiagnosing his condition in addition to failing to recommend him to a neurologist. It names coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], former defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag], former safeties coach [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], head athletic trainer Owen Stanley and team doctors Stephen Etheredge and Vincent Shaw.
It also names Brandon Gaynor, a surgeon at Our Lady of the Lake who performed the operation after a scan revealed a tumor two games into the 2023 season. According to the lawsuit, the surgery left Brooks “permanently disabled” with “catastrophic neurological injuries.”
Brooks claims in the lawsuit that he suffered multiple strokes from “acts of malpractice” during the operation. A year after the surgery, he is reportedly unable to walk or use his right hand and has difficulty speaking as the result of a post-operation condition known as posterior fossa syndrome.
Both LSU and Our Lady of the Lake released statements to Yahoo Sports.
“First, and foremost, our prayers remain with Greg for his continued healing and recovery. Due to patient privacy laws and pending litigation, we can’t comment on specific individuals or situations,” a statement from the hospital said. “The neurosurgical team at Our Lady of the Lake is among the most experienced in Louisiana and they give our patients the best opportunity for a positive outcome in any circumstance. Providing excellent healthcare to those we serve is our top priority.”
The school wrote, “While LSU cannot comment on ongoing litigation, Greg Brooks remains in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to work through the rehabilitation process. Since the beginning of our agreement with our Championship Health Partner, Our Lady of the Lake, they have provided exceptional medical care for our student-athletes in all of our sports.”
Another accusation made in the lawsuits that LSU’s statement doesn’t address is that the school refused to transfer ownership of the Greg Brooks Victory Fund, a donation fund started by the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation, to him. He also alleges that LSU disclosed “false or misleading” confidential medical information and used his name, image and likeness without his consent.
A transfer addition from Arkansas ahead of the 2022 season, Brooks started 13 of 14 games. He entered the 2023 season as a team captain and possible NFL draft prospect before his operation two games into the season.
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