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Former LSU football player Greg Brooks Jr. and his father have double down on their criticism of head coach Brian Kelly this week. The safety claims that Kelly has not been in contact amid a battle with cancer.
Kelly disputed that accusation on Wednesday while addressing the media. That denial landed an immediate response from the Brooks family.
Brooks was diagnosed with a brain tumor before the start of the 2023 season. A team captain, he was forced to undergo surgery and now navigates a lengthy recovery process.
In an interview with Good Morning America, he said that he hasn’t heard from the Tigers‘ coaching staff as he relearns how to eat, write, and speak. Brian Kelly called the claim “factually incorrect.”
“It is factually incorrect to state I was not there by Greg’s side during this ordeal. We love Greg… That comment struck a nerve with me.”
-Brian Kelly
Greg Brooks Jr. began experiencing dizziness and nausea in 2023. He was initially told it was okay to return to the playing field with the training staff citing the symptoms as being related to vertigo.
He later saw a neurologist, who discovered the brain tumor. That appointment was scheduled by the team 39 days after his original symptoms surfaced. A lawsuit was later filed in August of ’24.
Brooks felt abandoned by Brian Kelly. The LSU coach stated that his staff had been in contact daily. The former player’s lawyer released a statement on Thursday after the coach’s denial.
“”It was difficult for Greg Brooks Jr. to listen to LSU Coach Brian Kelly say he was by his side through this ordeal and then accuse his father of making a false statement when the reality is that Coach Kelly has not contacted Greg Jr. in over 16 months.
“Neither Coach Kelly nor LSU has denied what Greg’s father said during the GMA interview: that Greg has not heard from Coach Kelly since October 2023, long before the lawsuit was filed. LSU and Coach Kelly cannot deny this because it is true. Ironically, it was Coach Kelly who made factually inaccurate statements in March of 2024 when he told the media that Greg was walking, which obviously was not true.
“Coach Kelly would have known that had he simply picked up the phone and called. Greg Jr. looks forward to having his day in court, where the truth will come to light, and in the meantime, he will be focusing on his health and recovery.”
The back and forth continues while the lawsuit plays out. Greg Brooks Jr. remains firm in his criticism of Brian Kelly. He’s since been deemed cancer-free but has a long recovery ahead.