“She was the one person who actually believed in me whenever I was going through everything.”
Bryan Braman was surrounded by those he loved most in the weeks leading up to his death.
The 38-year-old former NFL player, who won his first and only Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, died on Thursday, July 17 due to “a rare, aggressive form of cancer,” according to ESPN.
Braman’s agent, Sean Stellato, confirmed his client’s death in a phone interview with KPRC 2.
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“I got the horrible news early in the morning after one of his best friends reached out and said that he took his last breath while surrounded by friends and family,” Stellato told the news outlet.
He went on to describe Braman as “unselfish” and “generous,” even when he didn’t need to be.
“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 added, per KPRC 2.
In an interview with People, updated July 18, Stellato spoke of how much Braman loved being a father.
"He loved his two girls so, so much. They were everything, his legacy," he said of the football star’s daughters, who “spent the last two weeks with him when he was dying.”
Braman was a proud girl dad to Blakely, 11, and Marlowe, 8, according to The Guardian.
Braman was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and quickly became a fan favorite for his play on special teams, which had him pegged as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2012, per CNN.
He signed with the Eagles in 2014 and again in 2017, spending a total of four years with the team, according to Pro Football Reference.
In 2018, after beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, Braman enjoyed a special moment with his agent as they celebrated the win on the field.
"Him and I cried in each other's arms when he won Super Bowl LII on the field. And I was holding his daughter in a photo, which was really cool," Stellato told People.
He further described Braman as a “gentle giant,” despite his 6’6’’, 250-pound frame.
"He'd be the first one to hold the door for someone, to give a few dollars to someone that was homeless, because he was homeless in his earlier days," says Stellato.
Braman reportedly sold his vehicle to help pay for treatment
According to The Associated Press, Braman was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
A GoFundMe page, created in February in honor of Braman, confirmed that the Spokane, WA native “is currently fighting a life-threatening cancer that requires an extensive 12-week treatment program.”
“He is required to have a 24-hour caregiver,” the GoFundMe description read.
“He has no home currently as he has had to pay our of pocket for much of his treatment, and even sold his last vehicle to raise the money for the motel fir this week,” the description continued.
In an update on June 20, the organizer of the GoFundMe confirmed that Braman was home with his family after “undergoing a Car-t cell reprogramming treatment program,” per the page.
The football star underwent multiple surgeries, but the cancer continued to fight back.
“They have tried all of the various treatment options, and unfortunately, none of them are working against this cancer,” the update continued. “But Bryan has not given up.”
Several teammates and NFL players have donated to the cause, including J.J. Watt, Rasul Douglas, Chris Long, Quandre Diggs, Duane Brown, Brent Celek, Chris Ballard and Brian Cushing.
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Braman finished his NFL career with 56 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 97 games played over seven seasons. His last game — the Super Bowl win — turned out to be the biggest of his career.
