Tag: Greg Brooks Jr

Greg Brooks Jr. suing LSU for negligence after emergency surgery for brain tumor

Greg Brooks Jr. has filed a negligence lawsuit against LSU after he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor last September.

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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LOOK: Jayden Daniels wears hoodie honoring Greg Brooks Jr. at pro day

Jayden Daniels used his pro day to honor his teammate.

[autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] has the chance to make a statement in the draft quarterback rankings on Wednesday when he runs through his pro day. It will be the first time Daniels has thrown in front of scouts during the pre-draft process after he skipped drills at the combine earlier this month.

Daniels took the opportunity on Wednesday to honor his teammate [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] by wearing a hoodie with Brooks’ name and jersey number on the back.

Brooks, a transfer defensive back from Arkansas, was diagnosed during the 2023 football season with a rare form of brain cancer. He underwent a procedure to remove the tumor, and he is currently in the process of recovery.

Daniels has the chance to solidify himself as QB2 in the draft on Wednesday, but he’s not missing an opportunity to honor his teammate who is fighting a difficult battle.

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Brian Kelly gives latest update on Greg Brooks Jr.

On Saturday, Brian Kelly was able to provide us with the latest update on Greg Brooks Jr.’s health and where he was at in his journey.

Last season, the LSU football team was hit with the news that one of their leaders had a bigger war he was fighting. [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.

In October, Brooks underwent brain surgery while players and coaches alike shared tributes to him online and encouraged him to keep pushing forward through the tough times. It has been five months since his surgery and there have not been a lot of updates.

On Saturday, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] was able to provide us with the latest update on Brooks’ health and where he was at in his journey.

“We haven’t gotten much information over the last month because of where he is,” Kelly said, per On3. “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.”

The process is slow but we are all hoping and praying that Brooks Jr. will come out strong on the other side of this trial.

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Former LSU cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples releases statement after firing

Robert Steeples was fired Wednesday along with most of the defensive staff.

After a year of massively underperforming on defense, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] opted for an overhaul of the defensive staff on Wednesday.

LSU fired defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] as well as assistants [autotag]Kerry Cooks[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Steeples[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag]. Steeples, who coached cornerbacks, released a statement thanking Kelly and the program for the opportunity.

Steeples started his statement by thanking [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag], the Tigers’ defensive back who is currently battling brain cancer, as well as Kelly, the staff and the rest of the players.

“All in All, my definition of Love is the commitment to doing right by someone when they are with you and away from you,” Steeples said. “Thank you to those who showed love by doing right by me. Just know, I did right by you.”

A former NFL cornerback, Steeples was a high school head coach at De Smet Jesuit in his hometown of St. Louis from 2016-20. He later served as an assistant special teams coach for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 before joining Kelly’s staff.

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Brian Kelly says Greg Brooks Jr. had another surgery to ‘help and assist’ recovery

“He’s still in a battle, but he’s making some progress,” Kelly said.

LSU has dedicated the 2023 season to defensive back [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag], who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor earlier this season and was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

Updates on Brooks’ progress have been understandably few and far between, but coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] provided some news on Thursday. Brooks underwent another procedure to “help and assist” in his recovery, though it’s unclear what that was.

Kelly also added that Brooks is currently in rehab.

“He’s still in a battle, but he’s making some progress,” Kelly said. “We all want this to move to a point where he’s back in the building, and it’s just going to be a longer process.”

If you wish to donate to the Greg Brooks Victory Fund, you can do so here.

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LOOK: LSU to honor Greg Brooks Jr. by painting No. 3 on field vs. Auburn

The Tigers will be honoring Greg Brooks Jr. on Saturday as he continues to battle medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

LSU will be honoring [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] during Saturday night’s home game against Auburn by painting his No. 3 on the field at the 25-yard lines.

Brooks was recently diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, after undergoing a procedure earlier this season to remove a brain tumor. LSU has dedicated the season to Brooks, and it will be paying tribute to him as he continues to battle cancer.

LSU has also worn helmet stickers all year that display the No. 3.

A transfer addition from Arkansas last offseason, Brooks has been a key fixture in LSU’s defensive backfield over the last two seasons, seeing action as both a starting safety and nickel.

It’s unclear if the No. 3s will remain on the field beyond this weekend’s game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. CT.

If you would like to donate to the Greg Brooks Victory Fund to help in his battle against cancer, you can do so by clicking this link.

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Brian Kelly provides latest update on Greg Brooks Jr.

Brian Kelly provided the latest update for Greg Brooks Jr. on Monday.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] provided the latest update for [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] on Monday.

Brooks was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. He is a graduate student at LSU after transferring from Arkansas two years ago. He was the quarterback of the LSU secondary and he was always there when the Tigers needed a big play.

Now, he fights a battle that is bigger than football.

“Greg has been transferred to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis,” Kelly said on the Paul Finebaum Show. “He’s a strong man and we’re hoping that this next surgery allows him to begin the next challenge of battling cancer.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Brooks as he fights against cancer.

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LSU family, college football world sends support to Greg Brooks Jr. after cancer diagnosis

Greg Brooks Jr. was recently diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

On Wednesday, the Brooks family, LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Health announced that Tigers defensive back [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag], who underwent a procedure last month to remove a brain tumor, had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

According to the statements, the surgery successfully removed the brain tumor, and there is no evidence the cancer has spread. Brooks’ speech and ability to communicate have been impacted, however, and he faces “months of intensive rehabilitation.”

If you wish to support Brooks and his family, you can donate to the Greg Brooks Victory Fund by clicking this link.

After Brooks’ diagnosis was announced, members of the LSU family and college football world at large took to social media to voice their support and well-wishes for Brooks.

LSU defensive back Greg Brooks Jr. diagnosed with rare form of brain cancer

According to a statement, Greg Brooks Jr.’s surgery to remove a brain tumor was successful, and there is no evidence the cancer has spread.

LSU defensive back [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. The diagnosis was announced in joint statements from Brooks’ family, LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Health.

Brooks underwent a procedure to remove a brain tumor last month after suffering from vertigo, which led the team to have him undergo an MRI that revealed the tumor.

According to a statement from the hospital’s chief medical officer, the surgery to remove the tumor was successful, and there is no evidence the cancer has spread.

“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,” Catherine O’Neal, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Health, said in a release. “Greg’s speech and ability to communicate has been impacted, and although he is responsive and working daily with physical therapy, he will face months of intensive rehabilitation. The surgery was successful in removing the tumor, and there is no evidence that the cancer has spread. 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. He has a long journey ahead and will need the full support of our community behind him as he faces this battle.”

Brooks’ family said in a statement that he continues to fight and they are appreciative of the support from the LSU family.

“Greg has been a daily inspiration to us all,” the Brooks family said. “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 has fans around the world and our phones have been ringing off the hook for the last several weeks with words of encouragement and support. Greg is a warrior! Please continue to keep No. 3, and our entire family, in your prayers.”

LSU President [autotag]William F. Tate IV[/autotag] offered his support and called on fans to donate to the Greg Brooks Victory Fund.

“Greg is a fighter and a winner, and we believe wholeheartedly that he will conquer this battle with cancer,” Tate said. “Victories are rarely achieved alone, which is why we’re calling on fans from around the world to rally behind The Greg Brooks Victory Fund. Your support will ensure that Greg and his family have everything they need as they embark on their journey to healing and recovery.”

Brooks is a graduate student and Harvey, Louisiana, native. He played his first three seasons at Arkansas before transferring back to his home state, where he has been a fixture in the secondary for the last two years.

If you wish to donate to the Greg Brooks Victory Fund, you can do so by following this link.

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Brian Kelly updates Greg Brooks Jr.’s condition after operation to remove brain tumor

Brian Kelly said that Greg Brooks Jr. is making progress after he underwent an operation to remove a brain tumor two weeks ago.

LSU starting defensive back [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] is currently dealing with a scary health situation as he underwent a procedure to remove a brain tumor several weeks ago.

We haven’t received many updates on Brooks’ progress since that procedure, but during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference, Kelly provided some encouraging news as progress is apparently being made, albeit slowly.

“He is making progress, and I think when we talk about progress after brain surgery you can imagine it’s a slow process,” Kelly said, per On3. “He recognizes me. He’s able to make eye contact. He was up for rehabilitation, he was going to rehab that day, he was up on his feet moving around. But it’s still, there’s a long journey here for him. But it’s great to see that he’s making that progress.”

Brooks played in two games this season before the tumor was discovered. He had dealt with vertigo during the offseason, and another bout of dizziness in practice leading up to the Mississippi State game led Brooks to get an MRI, which revealed the tumor.

A transfer from Arkansas, Brooks has been a major part of the LSU defense over the last two seasons, seeing starting action at both safety and nickel. We’ll continue to provide updates on his progress as we receive them.

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