Bryan Braman, the ex-NFL linebacker known for his time with the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, passed away on Thursday, July 17, at the age of 38 after battling a “rare” form of cancer. His death was confirmed by his agent, Sean Stellato, according to ESPN.
Braman was celebrated for his fearless special-teams play and had a magnetic presence on the field. Off the field, he was a devoted father to two young daughters, aged 11 and 8.
Support Through the GoFundMe Campaign
Earlier this year, Braman was diagnosed with a rare cancer, leading to the creation of a GoFundMe campaign by William Jones aimed at raising $25,000 to support him during his health battle. The response was incredible, with donations pouring in from former teammates and fans. Notably, NFL star JJ Watt contributed $10,000, helping boost the total raised to over $88,000.
The latest update from the fundraiser indicated that Braman had undergone “CAR-T cell reprogramming treatment.” While the treatment initially showed promise, his condition took a sudden turn. The organizer shared, “The cancer has grown exponentially faster, and is now growing around his vital organs.”
Legacy of an NFL Star
Braman’s last professional appearance was during the 2017 Super Bowl, marking a memorable end to his career. As reported by The Guardian, although NFL players are entitled to health coverage for five years post-retirement, Braman had surpassed that window.
For those unfamiliar with Bryan Braman, he enjoyed a remarkable seven-season NFL career from 2011 to 2017. After his time with the Texans and Eagles, he returned to Philadelphia for their 2018 playoff run, making a significant impact by blocking a punt against Atlanta.
His final game was Super Bowl LII, where he recorded a tackle during the Eagles’ memorable victory over the Patriots. A standout player at West Texas A&M, Braman appeared in 97 games, recording 56 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
As the football community mourns the loss of Bryan Braman, his legacy will live on through his contributions on and off the field.
