Bryan Braman, Eagles Linebacker and Super Bowl LII Hero, dies at 38

Eagles Linebacker, Bryan Braman, passes away at 38.

Bryan Braman, who was a former Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker, passed away on Thursday due to a rare and aggressive brain cancer. Braman, who helped the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LII, was only 38 years old.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help him with his medical expenses, as he was diagnosed with cancer in February, which ended up raising over $88,000. His former teammates also donated, including JJ Watt, who contributed $10,000. However, due to the fast-growing rate of the disease, he succumbed to it even after undergoing multiple surgeries and CAR-T cell therapy in Seattle.

His agent, Sean Stellato, told Houston’s KPRC 2,

“Bryan, people saw this enormous human being, but his heart was big as his body. His spirit was so motivating. He was so real and genuine with everybody. That made him special."

He further added, “It’s hard. I feel like I lost my firstborn. This kid, he gave me his bed every time I came to Philadelphia. He would threaten me if I didn’t stay with him. That’s something I’ll always cherish. My heart hurts today.”

Who is Bryan Braman?

Braman was known to be a fearless and benevolent player, with his helmetless tackles, and gave back to his Texan community through youth coaching and outreach programs.

He got his title for a helmetless tackle in his rookie year when he was undrafted in 2011, when he made a tackle even after losing his helmet. Besides that, he was also known for his punt blocking ability, as well as other memorable moments like the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in 2018.

“It was big for me,” he said after the game. “I was able to keep my head in the game and turn it around. I just had to let it go and do my job. If I let it affect me, then I start reaching. That’s when other bad things start to happen.”

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The Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 to win their first NFL championship since the 1960 season. Bryan Braman recorded one tackle during the game, and the Super Bowl marked the 6-foot-5-inch player's last ever professional game.

Braman is survived by his two daughters, Blakely and Marlowe, aged 11 and eight, and as is known to the public, he was often known as a "girl dad."

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