Current:Home > InvestLSU's Greg Brooks Jr. diagnosed with rare brain cancer: 'We have a long road ahead'-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
LSU's Greg Brooks Jr. diagnosed with rare brain cancer: 'We have a long road ahead'
View Date:2024-12-23 21:01:20
LSU football safety Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
Brooks underwent emergency surgery to remove a "large brain tumor" in late September and biopsy tests revealed that he has medulloblastoma, the university announced on Wednesday. According to Mayo Clinic, medulloblastoma is a cancerous tumor that starts in the cerebellum, the lower back part of the brain that coordinates muscle coordination, balance and movement.
“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, Louisiana. “The surgery was successful in removing the tumor, and there is no evidence that the cancer has spread."
Although Brooks' "speech and ability to communicate has been impacted" by the cancer, O'Neal said he's "responsive and working daily with physical therapy." Brooks faces "months of intensive rehabilitation," she adds.
Last month, Kelly told reporters that Brooks got an MRI after experiencing dizziness from vertigo, which he's been dealing with throughout the preseason. "The vertigo was just a symptom of what was obviously a larger issue," Kelly said. The MRI revealed Brooks had a brain tumor and further testing determined he had cancer.
"We have a long road ahead and are appreciative of the support from our LSU family and Tiger fans," the Brooks family said in a statement released by LSU on Wednesday. "Greg is a warrior! Please continue to keep Keep No. 3 and our entire family in your prayers."
The Tiger Athletic Foundation established the Greg Brooks Jr. Victory Fund to raise money for Brooks' medical expenses, including "treatment, medicine, therapy, travel, and more," the fund states.
"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," LSU President William F. Tate IV said. Head coach Brian Kelly added, "We ask that you help the Brooks family and support the fund as he continues in the journey ahead."
Brooks, who was voted team captain, started two games at safety for LSU this season, recording eight tackles and two passes defended. He last appeared in the Tigers' 72-10 win over Grambling on Sept. 9, but was unavailable during LSU's wins over Mississippi State and Arkansas, in addition to last week's loss to Ole Miss.
Brooks, a Louisiana native, transferred to LSU in 2022. He spent the first three years of his collegiate career at Arkansas from 2019 to 2022. "We're all with him for the battle!" Arkansas football wrote on X.
"Greg was a wonderful kid when he was here and did a great job for us," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said last month. "Greg was a wonderful kid when he was here and did a great job for us."
Contributing: Koki Riley, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
veryGood! (45)
Related
- Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
- Biden Heads for Glasgow Climate Talks with High Ambitions, but Minus the Full Slate of Climate Policies He’d Hoped
- Efforts To Cut Georgia Ports’ Emissions Lack Concrete Goals
- RHONJ Fans Won't Believe the Text Andy Cohen Got From Bo Dietl After Luis Ruelas Reunion Drama
- Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger welcome their first son together
- Southwest plans on near-normal operations Friday after widespread cancellations
- The RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Cast Reveals Makeup Hacks Worthy of a Crown
- Chrissy Teigen Slams Critic Over Comments About Her Appearance
- Kim Kardashian Says She's Raising Her and Kanye West's 4 Kids By Herself
- Southwest cancels another 4,800 flights as its reduced schedule continues
Ranking
- Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
- In Florida, Environmental Oversight Improves Under DeSantis, But Enforcement Issues Remain
- Charleston's new International African American Museum turns site of trauma into site of triumph
- Disney employees must return to work in office for at least 4 days a week, CEO says
- Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
- Utilities Have Big Plans to Cut Emissions, But They’re Struggling to Shed Fossil Fuels
- The Pence-Harris Showdown Came up Well Short of an Actual ‘Debate’ on Climate Change
- Biden signs a bill to fight expensive prison phone call costs
Recommendation
-
Michael Jordan and driver Tyler Reddick come up short in bid for NASCAR championship
-
Protests Target a ‘Carbon Bomb’ Linking Two Major Pipelines Outside Boston
-
Billions in NIH grants could be jeopardized by appointments snafu, Republicans say
-
Post Election, Climate and Racial Justice Protesters Gather in Boston Over Ballot Counting
-
New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
-
Republicans plan more attacks on ESG. Investors still plan to focus on climate risk
-
Farmworkers brace for more time in the shadows after latest effort fails in Congress
-
New tax credits for electric vehicles kicked in last week