How did Super Bowl champion Bryan Braman spend his final days? What we know as former NFL star dies after battle with cancer

Bryan Braman, the former NFL linebacker and Super Bowl LII champion, died on July 17, 2025, at the age of 38 after a fierce battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. Diagnosed in February, he fought the disease with multiple surgeries and CAR-T cell therapy over a 12-week treatment in Seattle.

Bryan Braman first reached the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and capped his career by helping the Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl in February 2018. In his final days, he found comfort in his home, surrounded by family and friends. His story is one of determination, love, and community, all coming together in his last weeks.

Bryan Braman spent his final days with his daughters

In the two weeks leading up to his passing, Bryan was never alone. His daughters, Blakely (11) and Marlowe (8), stayed by his side as his condition worsened at home.

“They spent the last two weeks with him when he was dying. He loved his two girls so, so much. They were everything, his legacy,” agent Sean Stellato told PEOPLE.

Those quiet moments, reading bedtime stories, holding hands in the living room, became the most important plays of his life. Every laugh, every hug, showed how much family meant to him.

Bryan Braman underwent advanced cancer treatments in Seattle

After his February diagnosis, Braman traveled to Seattle for intensive care. His friend William Jones, who set up a GoFundMe, explained that Braman’s treatment used CAR-T cell reprogramming.

“His cells did reinfuse themselves and did in fact start reproducing within his bone marrow. At first, the mass did start to shrink, but then the cancer started fighting back,” Jones wrote.

Despite initial hope, the cancer outpaced each round of chemotherapy and surgery. Doctors eventually warned that his immune system could no longer keep up. Even so, Bryan Braman explored every trial program, determined to extend his time with loved ones.

Friends and teammates raised funds and offered support

When medical bills mounted, Braman’s NFL family stepped in to help. A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $88,000, including a $10,000 gift from former Texans star J.J. Watt. His teammates shared memories on social media and urged fans to keep him in their prayers.

“If there is one person that I know that can beat cancer, it is Bryan Braman,” Stellato said on Houston’s KPRC 2.

Support came not just in dollars, but also in messages, visits, and prayers —a true testament to the bonds he formed on special teams and off the field.

Bryan is remembered for his resilience and kindness beyond football

Braman’s journey began far from NFL stadiums. He once experienced homelessness before earning a spot with the Houston Texans and later the Eagles.

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“I would say, a warrior in every sense, on the field and in life. He faced every battle with unshakable grit and heart,” said Stellato.

Off the field, Bryan Braman was a “gentle giant”, the first to hold a door or help someone in need. His underdog spirit inspired teammates and fans. As stories and quotes poured in, the memory of his perseverance and generosity became the enduring legacy of Bryan Braman.

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