Vincent Frank
It was last month that LSU star safety Greg Brooks Jr. had to undergo emergency surgery after a large brain tumor was discovered. This came after he played his second game of the season against Grambling State.
Brooks Jr. has been in the process of being diagnosed since he underwent the aforementioned surgery.
Brooks’ family and the LSU Tigers football program announced on Wednesday that he has indeed been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called medulloblastoma.
Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Health, provided an update after the diagnosis. There is some good news involved.
“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,” O’Neal said. “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.”
Per the Mayo Clinic, treatment for this type of cancer usually includes surgery “followed by radiation or chemotherapy, or both.”
The National Cancer Institute indicates that the five-year survival rate for this type of cancer is 72%. Though, there are a lot of factors that come into play, including an individuals’ overall health and whether the cancer has spread. At least based on O’Neal’s statement, Greg Brooks’ cancer is centralized.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly visited with Brooks in the hospital following his emergency surgery and prior to Wednesday’s diagnosis.
“He’s able to respond to commands, you know, it has been a long road for him,” Kelly said of Greg Brooks’ condition. “His family has been amazing, they’re there every day. The support he’s been receiving from the community, it’s been overwhelming.”
Brooks was originally a four-star recruit out of Arkansas back in 2019. He spent three seasons with the Razorbacks before transferring to LSU. Last season saw the safety record 66 tackles and two interceptions.
The Tiger Athletics Foundation has set up the Greg Brooks’ Victory Fund to help him financially through his recovery process.
