If you followed LSU football in 2023, you remember the shock. One week, Greg Brooks Jr. was a starting safety and team captain, the kind of guy who hits like a truck and leads by example. The next, he was gone from the roster, replaced by a "medical emergency" label that felt vague and ominous.
Honestly, what happened to Greg Brooks Jr. is more than just a tragic injury story. It’s a messy, heart-wrenching saga involving a rare cancer diagnosis, a "catastrophic" surgery, and a massive legal battle that has pinned a former star player against his own university. While the stadium lights kept shining in Baton Rouge, Greg’s life shifted from chasing NFL dreams to a grueling fight for basic mobility.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In September 2023, the news finally broke: Greg Brooks Jr. had medulloblastoma. If you haven't heard of it, don't feel bad. It’s a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer that almost exclusively affects children. For a 22-year-old elite athlete to get hit with this was statistically a freak occurrence.
The tumor was located between his cerebellum and brainstem. To put it simply, it was sitting right on the control center for his balance and motor skills. By the time it was found, things were already critical. He underwent emergency surgery on September 15, 2023, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.
While the surgery successfully removed the tumor, the aftermath was a nightmare. Greg didn't just walk out and start rehab. He was left with permanent disabilities.
Why Greg Brooks Jr. Is Suing LSU
This is where the story gets heavy. In August 2024, Greg and his family filed a 13-page lawsuit against LSU and the hospital. They aren't just looking for a payout; they’re alleging a systematic failure that they believe cost Greg his health and his future.
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The allegations are pretty damning. According to the suit, Greg started complaining of dizziness, nausea, and headaches as early as August 5, 2023. He even vomited in front of coaches and trainers. Instead of sending him to a neurologist, the lawsuit claims LSU staff diagnosed him with "vertigo" and "heat exhaustion."
Basically, the family says he was told to "push through it."
There's a specific, painful detail in the legal filing: an athletic trainer allegedly used an app on a phone to diagnose his vertigo and cleared him to practice. He actually played in the first two games of the 2023 season—against Florida State and Grambling—while a tumor was growing in his brain.
The Surgery Complications
The lawsuit also targets the medical care he received during the operation. It alleges that the surgeon, Dr. Brandon Gaynor, was not qualified for such a complex procedure. During the surgery, the suit claims Greg suffered multiple strokes and developed "posterior fossa syndrome."
Today, the reality is stark. Greg is largely confined to a wheelchair. He has lost use of his right hand. His speech, once clear and confident, is now a struggle. He had to relearn how to eat and write. It’s a far cry from the "successful surgery" updates the public originally received.
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The Brian Kelly Controversy
You can't talk about Greg Brooks Jr. without mentioning the rift with Brian Kelly. During a "Good Morning America" interview in early 2025, Greg’s father, Greg Brooks Sr., didn't hold back. He claimed the coaching staff—specifically Brian Kelly—stopped checking in on them shortly after the surgery.
"My son almost lost his life, Coach. Where were you?" his father asked.
Kelly defended himself, saying he was "rattled" by the accusations. He claimed staff members were there "virtually every day" and that the university provided immense support. But the family’s perspective is different. They feel like as soon as Greg couldn't play football, he was forgotten by the program.
Where Is Greg Brooks Jr. Now?
It’s 2026, and Greg is still fighting. He was declared cancer-free after rounds of chemo and radiation at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is a massive win. But "cancer-free" doesn't mean "back to normal."
He’s still in intensive rehab. Occasionally, he makes public appearances that remind everyone of the person behind the headlines. In late 2025, he was honored by the Atlanta Falcons, an experience arranged by Coach Raheem Morris to give Greg a taste of the NFL environment he worked so hard to reach.
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Watching him in those moments is bittersweet. He’s clearly the same guy inside—sharp, competitive, and resilient—but his body just hasn't caught up yet.
Lessons for Other Athletes
If there's one thing Greg wants people to take away from this, it's the importance of self-advocacy. In his own words, he wants young athletes to know that if something feels wrong, you have to speak up. And if you aren't being heard? Get a second opinion.
The "tough it out" culture in college football is legendary, but as Greg’s case shows, it can be dangerous. Headaches aren't always just "the heat." Dizziness isn't always just "vertigo."
What you can do to support or stay informed:
- Follow the Legal Case: The lawsuit against LSU and Our Lady of the Lake is ongoing. The outcome could change how medical protocols are handled for student-athletes nationwide.
- Support the Victory Fund: The Greg Brooks Jr. Victory Fund was set up to help with his astronomical medical and living expenses. Even though the headlines have slowed down, the bills haven't.
- Advocate for Neutral Medical Staff: Support initiatives that call for independent neurologists at the collegiate level, similar to the protocols used in the NFL.
- Check on Your Peers: If you're an athlete or a coach, take "minor" symptoms seriously. A simple MRI might have changed the timeline for Greg; it could change it for someone else, too.
Greg’s journey from the turf of Tiger Stadium to a rehab facility in Memphis is a reminder that these players are more than just numbers on a jersey. They're humans with families, futures, and a right to be protected by the institutions they represent.