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ESPN’s College GameDay looks at Ella Bresee’s battle against cancer and her brother Bryan’s support. You can watch the emotional feature below: Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s …
ESPN’s College GameDay looks at Ella Bresee’s battle against cancer and her brother Bryan’s support.
You can watch the emotional feature below:
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
Clemson redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Bresee spoke to the media on Saturday following the Tigers’ 51-45, double-overtime win over No. 21 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. Bresee talked about how he played for his sister Ella, who passed away …
Clemson redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Bresee spoke to the media on Saturday following the Tigers’ 51-45, double-overtime win over No. 21 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.
Bresee talked about how he played for his sister Ella, who passed away recently at 15 years old following an 18-month battle with brain cancer.
“First thing, I knew that’s what Ella would want me to do. She loved watching all of us play, loved KJ (Henry), but just loved watching all of us play,” Bresee said. “My family all being here and being together and everything, it brings my family joy just being out here and watching us play.
“So, I said this after the Furman game, but it’s been my role — through this when it started, 17, 18 months ago, just playing football and bringing joy to my family, and that was what my purpose was at the time. So, just continue to do that. I know she’s still watching over me. So, I knew what I had to do.”
Watch Bresee speak with the media following Saturday’s victory:
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
Now more than ever, Dabo Swinney is hopeful that football will be a refuge for Bryan Bresee. Because the heart of Clemson’s star defensive tackle is heavy this week. On Tuesday, with a large contingent of coaches and teammates by his side, Bresee …
Now more than ever, Dabo Swinney is hopeful that football will be a refuge for Bryan Bresee.
Because the heart of Clemson’s star defensive tackle is heavy this week.
On Tuesday, with a large contingent of coaches and teammates by his side, Bresee laid his sister, Ella, to rest during her funeral in Maryland. Following a recent setback in her 18-month battle with brain cancer, Ella passed away before the Tigers’ game against Louisiana Tech last week. She was 15 years old.
Those who attended the funeral, including Swinney, flew back to Clemson later in the day so the Tigers could get a practice in last night. Bresee is expected to be back in the lineup when Clemson travels to No. 21 Wake Forest on Saturday.
As for how Bresee is holding up, Swinney said as well as could be expected.
“Yesterday was a tough, long day for sure, and he’s been through a lot,” Swinney said. “It’s been a long journey kind of culminating with the Furman game and then long stays at the hospital all day, every day. The emotions of that and the closure that comes with it yesterday, it’ll be something he’ll deal with for the rest of his life for sure. But he’s got a good support group. He’s got an amazing family. I think Ella, just her words and her joy, hopefully they can all take some peace in that, but we’ll certainly keep our arms around him.”
While there’s been plenty of focus on the Tigers’ preparations for a marquee ACC tilt, it’s also been a week of heavy conversations for Swinney and his players as well as a reset on the proper perspective toward life, something Ella not only provided with her fight but also in a letter she wrote before her death.
“She talked about how cancer changed her,” Swinney said, referencing the contents of the letter. “This is a 15-year-old girl, and she’s like, ‘Cancer has changed me.’ And then she just goes on and she’s basically telling everybody don’t hold grudges. Love the sports you get to play. She talked about your family and telling the people you love that you love them It was just awesome.
“I think in moments like this, as tragic as they are, we all know that time is coming for all of us at some point. It’s one of those things you kind of block out, but you have to live. You have to live each day, and you have to live it to the fullest. And I think to do that, you have to love, you have to forgive and, as Ella said, don’t hold grudges and have a true appreciation for today. That’s all we’ve got. None of us are promised tomorrow.
Clemson’s football program got another somber reminder of that recently. Swinney shared that the mother of one of the team’s graduate assistants passed away over the weekend after being involved in a car wreck.
“These are opportunities for everybody – young and old – to truly gain perspective on what’s important, how we should live our life, how we should treat people and how we should process things,” Swinney said. “Just try to find joy in the journey and find joy in every moment that comes our way because we can’t do anything about yesterday. There’s no hope for that, and we’re not promised tomorrow.
“Just win the day. Because if we all knew this was our last day, how would we live? You’d probably call somebody and tell them you love them, so if we tried to live that way, it makes the whole world a better place. And I think Ella exemplified that right in the midst of the fight of her life.”
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store. There are only 100 of each signed.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
The Clemson football team will be playing with a heavy heart tonight against Louisiana Tech as redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Bresee’s 15-year-old sister, Ella, passed away earlier this week following a battle with brain cancer. ACC …
The Clemson football team will be playing with a heavy heart tonight against Louisiana Tech as redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Bresee’s 15-year-old sister, Ella, passed away earlier this week following a battle with brain cancer.
ACC Network’s Kelsey Riggs spoke with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney ahead of tonight’s game and asked Swinney what he has said to his players about channeling their emotion with what they’re working through right now.
“It’s been a tough week, a heavy week,” Swinney said. “But you know, it’s also given us an opportunity to have some real conversations. These are young people and this is a tough moment, and they’re all sharing in the pain with the Bresee family. But hopefully we can play in a way Saturday night that will bring them a little bit of joy in that moment. I don’t know if they’ll be watching. So, the biggest thing we need to do is stay focused on the task at hand and what we’re trying to do, and I think that’ll put a smile on Bryan’s face for sure.”
As for tonight’s game against the Bulldogs at Death Valley (8 p.m., ACCN), Riggs asked Swinney what he is telling his team about staying in the moment and not looking too far ahead.
“This is a tough challenge. La Tech’s got a bunch of dudes. They’ve got enough to beat us, for sure,” Swinney said. “We’ve got to play well, and we’re going into the third game. We’ve got a lot to continue to work on. So, we’ve yet to play four quarters. We’ve done a good job of compensating for each other, and good teams can do that. But great teams complement each other, and that’s what I’d like to see us do. So, we’ve just got to continue to apply the lessons we’ve learned from these first two weeks and truly be in the moment because that’s the only thing that matters is what we do Saturday night.”
Clemson will be playing with a heavy heart vs. Louisiana Tech as DT Bryan Bresee's 15-year-old sister died of brain cancer earlier this week.@kelseyriggs caught up with Dabo Swinney: pic.twitter.com/ypdQuU3uAi
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 17, 2022
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
The Clemson community was gut-wrenched to hear about the passing of Ella Bresee, the younger sister of defensive tackle Bryan Bresee.
The Clemson community lost a valued member in Ella Bresee, the younger sister of defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, and the impact of the loss was on display on social media.
Battling brain cancer, Ella Bresee passed away on Thursday, her brother announced.
“My beautiful sister Ella you amazed me every single day with the fight that you put up and how joyful you were constantly through this battle,” Bresee said on Instagram. “Never did I think I would be sitting here today saying bye to you. I want to thank you for bringing happiness to not only me but so many people. You are the best sister a brother could ask for and I know for a fact heaven has gained a beautiful angel today, Love you forever and always Ella bear.”
With devastating news, head coach Dabo Swinney said on Wednesday that Bryan Bresee has remained with his family and is away from the team for now.
Here’s how Twitter supported the Bresee family during these difficult times.
As the Clemson community supports the Bresee family, Bryan Bresee has been nominated for the Orange Bowl Courage Award.
Bryan Bresee and his family are battling through a challenging situation, and the national media is taking notice.
The Clemson defensive tackle is this week’s nominee for the Orange Bowl Courage Award after Bresee’s sister, Ella, suffered a setback last week in her battle with brain cancer.
Although Ella was supposed to attend the Tigers’ home opener against Furman, complications forced her to return to Washington D.C. for medical care.
Clemson’s entire team has rallied around Ella’s fight, wearing “Ella Strong” shirts and providing support to the Bresee family.
“Super outgoing. Just a good person to be around,” Bresee said of his sister. “She’s always super positive no matter what’s going on. (She) just brings a smile to my face whenever I’m around her and anybody who’s around her. She was here this week and got to spend some time with the team and the coaches, so everyone got to see that.”
According to a press release, the requirements for nomination include “displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.”
Despite the challenging times for him and his family, Bresee still played last week and was credited with two total tackles.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior flew back home after the game against Furman to be with his family, and according to head coach Dabo Swinney, his status for Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech is up in the air.
The winner of the award will be honored during the week of the Capital One Orange Bowl.
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Saturday’s Tiger Walk was, in his words, “super special” for Bryan Bresee. That’s because the Clemson football team used the Tiger Walk to show support for the redshirt sophomore defensive tackle, his younger sister and their family as they walk …
Saturday’s Tiger Walk was, in his words, “super special” for Bryan Bresee.
That’s because the Clemson football team used the Tiger Walk to show support for the redshirt sophomore defensive tackle, his younger sister and their family as they walk through an incredibly tough time right now.
Bresee led the Tiger Walk prior to Saturday’s home opener vs. Furman as he, head coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers wore “E11a Strong” T-shirts to show support for Bresee’s sister, Ella, who is battling brain cancer.
“I wish my little sister could’ve been there,” Bresee said after the Tigers’ 35-12 win over the Paladins. “It’s a tough situation. Life throws you curveballs sometimes, but you’ve got to keep pushing.”
Ella, 15, was in Clemson all week and had a chance to speak to the team on Wednesday. But Swinney told the media that unfortunately, she had a “real setback” and was taken to the emergency room Friday before being airlifted back to Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
“We love the Bresees. Amazing family,” Swinney said. “She’s 15 years old, and she’s got a beautiful heart and a beautiful spirit. She’s the toughest Bresee in that whole family. It’s just a really tough time right now for all of them. So, to be able to come alongside of them – you can’t take the pain away, but you can share in it and walk through it with them. That’s what our team is trying to do with Bryan.
“It’s been really tough, but it’s also been beautiful to see a group of young men put their arms around their brother. So unfortunately, she wasn’t able to be here today, but she’ll definitely get a game ball from this game.”
Bryan was planning to head home Saturday night to be with Ella and their family for a couple of days.
That family, Bryan said, is where he finds strength during this difficult time. And right now, he’s just trying to play his role for Ella as a football player and do what she enjoys watching.
“We’re a super close family, and honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without them in this time,” Bryan said. “My two older sisters have really done a great job helping my mom out with everything, and my dad. All them being home, and me knowing that Ella’s in really good hands with my family, and I can trust everything they’re doing with her at home. Just kind of keeps me on the straight and narrow and settled here, just playing football and doing something that I know she loves to watch.
“She’s kind of my role right now. Everyone has roles in our family for her, and this is my role right now.”
Bryan describes Ella as “super outgoing” and “just a good person to be around” – something Clemson’s players and coaches were able to see firsthand while spending time with her this week.
“She’s always super positive no matter what’s going on,” Bryan said. “Just brings a smile to my face whenever I’m around her, and anybody’s who’s around her.”
As Bryan went through Tiger Walk, Ella, of course, was at the forefront of his mind. So, too, was the support he has gotten from his team and Clemson fans.
“This team has been my support system down here when I’m not at home, and they’ve been there for me since all this has started a little over a year ago,” he said. “So, they’ve done a great job since it all started, just being behind me.”
“It’s hard being away from home,” he added, “and just having the support that I have here is super special.”
Swinney wanted Saturday’s show of support for Ella and Bryan to ensure they know the Tigers are completely behind them and their family.
“We just wanted to do something for Bryan, and we really wanted to do it for Ella,” he said. “We were trying to surprise her today, and man, it was just gut-wrenching to be at the emergency room with the family yesterday. She wasn’t able to be with us today as planned, but maybe, God willing, she’ll have another opportunity somewhere down the road. …
“Just a beautiful family that is really, really walking through a tough time right now. Again, one of the sweetest young ladies you could ever meet. Strong, strong. Unbelievable joy in her heart, even in the midst of this battle that’s she’s got. It’s just been incredible. But again, just wanted to find a way that we could put our arms around them. I know they know that, but just make sure they know that hey, we’re right here with you all the way.”
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
After using a marker and some tape to show his support last year, Bryan Bresee decided to get something more permanent. Bresee’s right forearm has some new artwork since he last suited up for the Tigers. Near his wrist are tattooed the Roman …
After using a marker and some tape to show his support last year, Bryan Bresee decided to get something more permanent.
Bresee’s right forearm has some new artwork since he last suited up for the Tigers. Near his wrist are tattooed the Roman numerals of his sister’s birthday. Above that is a rose wrapped by a ribbon with two words etched on it: Ella Strong.
It’s a reference to Ella Bresee, the youngest of the four Bresee children. It’s been a challenging last 18 months for the family as a whole with Bryan spending the last 10 recovering from a torn ACL that cut his sophomore season short, but it pales in comparison to the cards his 15-year-old sister was been dealt.
The family received shocking news early last year when Ella was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. She spent much of the year bouncing around different hospitals for treatment, including chemotherapy.
“She’s my little sister but also a little girl who just has so much on her plate right now,” Bryan said. “So whatever I’m going through isn’t half as bad as what she’s going through.”
One of the most difficult pills to swallow for Bryan was not having Ella around last season. He normally makes it a point before every game to survey the stands and find his parents and sisters, who have regularly attended his games. But that routine was broken last year as Ella’s treatments kept her from supporting her brother in person.
So Bresee supported her from afar.
In the season opener against Georgia, the Tigers’ star defensive tackle wore turf tape on the back of his arms with words “Ella Strong” written on them. He sported it every game until he suffered his season-ending knee injury against North Carolina State in late September.
This summer, he got the ink that will always be there to remind him of the battle his sister is fighting.
“It just tells you to keep going,” Bryan said.
Bryan said Ella is doing well, all things considered. She will soon begin another round of chemo at a Washington D.C.-area hospital, but she felt well enough last month to make the trip to Clemson for head coach Dabo Swinney’s annual Ladies Clinic, which raises money for breast cancer.
Ella was the event’s honored guest, receiving a roaring applause from those in attendance, including her brother. It was an understandably emotional moment for Bryan.
“She loves Clemson,” Bryan said. “And for her to be back here and just see everybody, all my roommates and teammates, she loves it. So it was a really good moment.”
Bryan said Ella is set to attend Clemson’s home opener against Furman next month. And he won’t be the only one eagerly awaiting her return.
“Being with her at the Ladies Clinic and just seeing her spirit and her joy in the moment, it was inspiring,” Swinney said. “She’s definitely someone that I pray for every day and their family. I know our team really is praying for her as well. Keeping our arms around Bryan and lifting him up as he navigates what he’s trying to do on a daily basis but also be there to support his sister.”
Dear Old Clemson has added to the store posters signed by all 20 members of Clemson’s 2022 football class.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
