BATON ROUGE, La. – It was supposed to be a routine press conference — updates about spring ball, questions from the media, maybe a few laughs. But the atmosphere inside the LSU Football Operations Center shifted the moment Head Coach Brian Kelly pulled out a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. With trembling hands and eyes already clouded with emotion, Kelly began to read a letter that would leave the entire room silent and several players in tears.
The letter was from Greg Brooks Jr., the LSU safety who had become a symbol of courage and resilience after his unexpected cancer diagnosis last year. Once a vocal leader in the Tigers’ secondary, Brooks was forced to step away from football when doctors discovered a rare brain tumor that required immediate surgery. Since then, he has undergone multiple procedures and continues an exhausting recovery journey.
What no one expected was that Brooks had written a heartfelt message addressed not just to his LSU teammates, but to every player suiting up across the NCAA this fall — a message of perseverance, gratitude, and an unflinching reminder of what really matters.
“I tried to get through it at home a few times and couldn’t,” Kelly admitted to the room as he held back tears. “But Greg asked me to share it with all of you today, and I want to honor that.”
Kelly’s voice cracked as he began reading.
“To my LSU brothers and every college football player chasing this dream —
I miss the game more than words can say. I miss the pads, the pre-snap reads, the trash talk, the fourth-quarter fight. I miss the locker room laughs, the quiet before kickoff, the look in your eyes when we knew we were about to go to war together.
But most of all, I miss being part of something bigger than myself.
This year, I won’t be able to line up beside you. I won’t be able to wear the jersey, hear the roar of Death Valley, or stand with y’all in that tunnel. But I’m still fighting. I’m fighting every day — not for tackles, not for stats — but just to be here. To live. To be present.
And in this fight, I’ve learned something y’all need to hear:
Don’t take one second for granted. Not one rep, not one meeting, not one play. Because one day it might all be gone, and you’ll wish you could lace ‘em up just one more time.”
By the time Kelly reached the second paragraph, his voice had begun to waver. His hands shook, and he paused to wipe his face. The players seated before him — many of whom had lined up next to Brooks just a season ago — were visibly emotional, their heads bowed in solemn reverence.
Some cried openly. Others sat stone-still, processing the weight of their teammate’s words.
“You are not just athletes. You are warriors with the power to inspire. Every time you get up when you’re knocked down, every time you finish that sprint, every time you push yourself past what you thought was your limit — you are writing your story.
Write one you’ll be proud of.
Because I promise you, in the quiet of a hospital room, what you’ll remember isn’t the scoreboard. It’s the bond. It’s the way your brothers had your back. It’s the way you never gave up.”
For Brooks, the battle has become more than just physical. It’s emotional, mental, spiritual. His letter revealed a man who, while missing the game, has found a new kind of strength — the kind that comes from enduring life’s harshest challenges and choosing to lead anyway.
Coach Kelly concluded the reading with a final passage, his voice breaking as he reached the end.
“So if you’re reading this, I want you to do one thing for me:
Play every down like it’s your last.
Play for the ones who can’t anymore.
Play for me.
I love y’all. Forever LSU.
– Greg Brooks Jr.”
When he finished, Kelly stood still for a long moment, unable to speak. The press conference had turned into a moment of collective reflection. Reporters put down their recorders. Players consoled each other. A silence filled the room — not out of discomfort, but out of deep, shared emotion.
“I’ve coached a lot of young men in my life,” Kelly finally said, his voice now soft but steady. “But Greg Brooks Jr. — he’s one of the most courageous human beings I’ve ever known. And I hope every player across the country hears what he’s saying. Because it’s not just about football. It’s about life. And how we live it.”
The story of Greg Brooks Jr. is no longer just about a football player fighting to return to the field. It’s about a young man becoming a symbol of grace, strength, and heart in the face of unimaginable adversity.
His teammates have taken that to heart. Multiple players have spoken since the reading, sharing how Brooks’ words have changed their perspective on the game — and on life.
Senior linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was among the most moved.
“Man, I’ve been through injuries, tough losses, hard practices — but nothing compares to what Greg’s dealing with. And yet he still found a way to motivate us,” Perkins said. “You best believe we’re playing for him this year. Every snap, every step. That’s our brother.”
Outside the walls of the football facility, the LSU community has rallied behind Brooks in powerful ways. A fund was set up to help cover medical expenses. The team has worn patches on their jerseys. Fans have sent thousands of letters, cards, and social media messages. But perhaps the most lasting tribute will be the way Brooks’ words now echo through every meeting room, practice field, and stadium tunnel.
They’ve already become a mantra for the Tigers: “Play for the ones who can’t.”
As for Brooks, his road remains uncertain, but his spirit remains unshaken. Sources close to the family say he continues to show “remarkable strength and determination” in his rehab and is “deeply grateful” for the outpouring of support.
Back in the LSU Football Ops Center, Brian Kelly summed it up best.
“Greg’s body may be in a hospital, but his heart is right here with us. And we carry him into every game, every practice, every moment.”
In a sport that often celebrates toughness and results, it’s the vulnerability of one brave young man that’s now inspiring a nation of athletes to play harder, love deeper, and cherish every second.
