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Former LSU star Greg Brooks Jr., father speak out on lawsuit vs. university
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Former LSU star Greg Brooks Jr. and his father are speaking out on the former defender’s battle with brain cancer and recovery process.
During the 2023 season, Brooks appeared in 2 games before an emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor ended his career. Greg Jr. and his father shared their side of the story in a recent sitdown interview with ABC News and Michael Strahan.
“My question was: Why that kid?” questioned Brooks’ father. “Everything that we want our young men to be, this kid signified that.”
Since the surgery, Greg Jr. has battled complications and continues to work toward a return to normalcy. The family has since filed a lawsuit against LSU and the hospital that treated him, alleging mishandling of Greg Jr.’s symptoms early on and malpractice by the surgeon who performed the surgery.
“Nothing,” said Brooks’ father about being informed of Greg’s illness by the school early on. “The one call I did receive said ‘You need to get here, your son is having emergency surgery tomorrow.'”
Brooks’ father also said there was never a thought Greg’s best interest would not be at the front of every decision because he was at a premier institution like LSU. The family did not seek a second opinion but felt they were led to believe their only option was emergency surgery and alleged the surgeon in charge was not capable of handling the operation.
“Honestly, I thought it was fake,” recalls Greg Jr. of waking up from his surgery. “Like, I was in disbelief. Like a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from.”
Greg remains cancer-free but continues to rehab and recover and had to re-learn how to do basic tasks such as eat, write and walk and continues to use a wheelchair.
“I just want young athletes in the same spot I was, if something is hurting, tell them,” said Greg Jr. about wanting to speak out now. “And if they don’t do anything about it, go get your second opinion. If I could have known that, I wouldn’t be the way I am right now.”
Greg’s father reiterated that the cancer is not the issue his son currently deals with. Rather, it is the aftermath from his surgery. The family also says they have not heard from any member of the LSU coaching staff since late 2023.
“Specifically, (head coach) Brian Kelly,” said Greg’s father. “My son almost lost his life, coach. Where were you? Forget about football, pick up the phone and say you love the kid.”
Fans can check out the full interview with the Brooks at ABC.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
