This week, LSU Football star Greg Brooks Jr and his father went on Good Morning America to detail what has gone on behind the scenes as Greg Brooks Jr battles to overcome Brain Cancer. The interview is highly emotional as everyone finally gets a look into what Greg Brooks Jr has dealt with in his time away from the LSU Football team.
Man. pic.twitter.com/H6ljIhk8U1
— tik (@twosuh) February 3, 2025
The story is highly emotional and to see that Greg Brooks has gone from a world class athlete to needing to relearn how to eat, write, and speak it truly sad to see. The fact that Greg Brooks Jr had symptoms for 39 days before the team took him to the neurologist is inexcusable. If the surgeon wasn't qualified to do the surgery and performed it anyway, then the Hospital should be held accountable for not disclosing it.
The part that most are taking away from Greg Brooks Jr's story is the fact that Brian Kelly hasn't reached out to Greg Brooks Jr.
"Brian Kelly, my son almost lost his life, coach. Where were you? Pick up the phone, say you love the kid."Greg Brooks Sr
The quote and the story in many ways paints Brian Kelly in the wrong light and doesn't tell both story because Brian Kelly was heavily involved with Greg Brooks Jr throughout his fight with brain cancer.
Brian Kelly spent time with Greg Brooks in the Hospital when he was diagnosed and after the surgery even telling the media once that Brooks told Kelly he plans to be back on the field soon. Throughout the 2023 Season, LSU staffers and players visited Brooks nearly every day, while painting Brooks' Number 3 on the field and wearing helmet decals showing their support to Brooks.
.@LSUfootball and @RazorbackFB will wear stickers with the No. 3 on their helmets for Greg Brooks Jr. in the Battle for the Golden Boot 💜@sportsiren spoke with @CoachBrianKelly about the LSU safety's brain tumor recovery and dedicating their season to him. pic.twitter.com/wc3AGoCk9O
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 23, 2023
Brian Kelly, the Tiger Athletic Foundation, Walk-Ons, and several other groups helped to raise money to support Brooks and his family in his recovery.
Greg and his entire family and support system have been incredibly strong throughout all of this. Our program continues to pray and support Greg in his fight. We ask that you help the Brooks family and support the fund as he continues in the journey ahead.https://t.co/HSrqzkUbJt https://t.co/DEjHjL9Tly
— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) October 4, 2023
The reason Brian Kelly hasn't reached out to Brooks Jr as of late is ongoing litigation as Greg Brooks Jr's family filed suit against LSU, the LSU Board of Directors, Our Lady and the Lake, and named Brian Kelly, Matt House, and Kerry Cooks along with the medical training staff.
On Wednesday, Brian Kelly spoke on the narrative that he wasn't on Greg Brooks side during his press availability.
"There's many things I can't say, but here's what I can tell you. It's factually incorrect to state that I was not there by Greg's side through this ordeal. We love Greg. We love him for the person, competitor and battler he is."Brian Kelly
He further went on to comment that due to ongoing litigation he is only allowed to say certain things regarding the issue as it is an ongoing case.
Brian Kelly opened his press conference today by responding to the allegation made by Greg Brooks Sr. that their family has not heard from LSU's coaching staff, specifically Kelly, since Oct. 2023.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) February 5, 2025
Here are his full comments: https://t.co/33wRownPo9 pic.twitter.com/TPTjiJ6N3f
The optics aren't great for Brian Kelly in this situation, and it seems he's in a no-win position. It's possible that there are legal hurdles that have prevented Kelly from making more contact.