Bryan Braman, former Eagles' Super Bowl champion, dies at 38 after cancer battle
Bryan Braman, a former Houston Texans and Eagles linebacker who won the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2018, has died after a battle with a rare, aggressive form of cancer, his agent Sean Stellato confirmed Thursday. He was 38.
Braman was diagnosed with cancer in February. His agent Sean Stellato told earlier this month that the 38-year-old was "in the fight of his life."
Stellato said Thursday Braman loved being an Eagle and being a dad to his two daughters.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman. During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team," the . "More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him. We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan's family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time."
In February, Williams Jones started an online fundraiser to help offset some of his friend's medical costs. Braman underwent CAR T-cell therapy in June in Seattle, according to the GoFundMe page.
One of the largest donations came from JJ Watt, a former teammate of Braman's in Houston, who contributed $10,000.
Watt Thursday, "Rest in Peace brother. Gone far too soon," along with a photo of Braman as a Texan.
Braman and Watt were teammates for three seasons in Houston, starting in 2011 when they were both rookies. Braman signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M, while Watt was Houston's first-round pick.
"We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Bryan Braman. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Braman family during this difficult time," the.
Braman entered the NFL as a long shot to make the Texans' roster, but he carved out a role on special teams on the team for three seasons from 2011 to 2013. He left Houston in 2014 to sign with the Eagles when Chip Kelly was the team's head coach.
When the Eagles signed Braman, Kelly raved about Braman's size (6-foot-5, 230) and athleticism.
"You don't find many players of Bryan's size with the ability to run down the field and make plays on special teams," Kelly said in 2014. "It's an area of the game that we always have our eye on and look to improve."
Braman left Philly for a brief stint with New Orleans in 2017, but was released by New Orleans in September. He rejoined Philadelphia in December 2017 and contributed on special teams in the Birds' Super Bowl LII run. In the Eagles' 15-10 divisional round win over the Falcons, Braman blocked a punt by Atlanta punter Matt Bosher, leading to a Jake Elliott field goal.
Braman played 24 special-teams snaps in the Eagles' 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, recording one tackle.
On social media Thursday, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said he has always admired his former teammate.
"Today is a tough day that hits close to home," Johnson wrote. "I always admired Bryan's ability to overcome life's obstacles, his passion for the game, and the love he had for his friends and family. Rest in peace, Brother."
Emmanuel Acho, another former teammate of Braman with the Eagles, posted a , "I didn't intend on crying this morning. Then I read the news on my teammate, Bryan Braman. Love you Braman. You lived a hard life, and you never complained about it. A champion in life and a warrior in death. It is forever, indeed."
Braman played seven seasons in the NFL, finishing with 56 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.
Braman part of trend of people under 50 being diagnosed with cancer
While it's not known specifically what type of cancer Braman had, the 38-year-old is part of a new trend where young people are being diagnosed with cancer.
According to the GoFundMe page to help pay for Braman's treatments, the former NFL special-teams standout had multiple surgeries and CAR T-cell therapy, "which is a way of using a patient's own immune system and re-engineering those cells to fight the cancer," Dr. Shazia Nakhoda, with Fox Chase Cancer Center, said.
"Unfortunately, it was not successful for him," Nakhoda said.
Braman is part of a growing trend of people under the age of 50 being diagnosed with cancer.
"It's probably not a single cause, likely a lot of things contributing," Nakhoda said.
The NIH says 14 types of cancer have increased in young people. The largest increase is with female breast cancer, followed by colorectal, kidney, uterine and pancreatic cancers.
"One thought is potentially obesity and sedentary lifestyle, perhaps environmental exposures like ultra-processed foods," Nakhoda said. "Things like that may be contributing. There is a thought in the last few decades, there's a new ENV exposure that we haven't identified that could be increasing cancer risk."
Nakhoda said to lower your cancer risk, it's important to know your family history and discuss unusual symptoms with a doctor while also getting the recommended screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies.
"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is so important," Nakhoda said. "Avoiding excess alcohol, not smoking are good ways to keep your health in check."
She says the HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines can also lower the risk of developing certain cancers.
The CAR T-cell therapy that Braman received was first developed in Philadelphia at Penn, and it's considered a significant advancement in cancer treatment. However, it's not successful for everyone.
