Philadelphia Eagles fans remember Bryan Braman as part of the championship team that brought home the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy in 2018. Now, the former linebacker is confronting a far more serious opponent as he battles a rare and aggressive cancer diagnosis.
Braman’s representative, Sean Stellato, described the 38-year-old’s current health crisis as “the fight of his life” in a statement to media outlets. The agent praised Braman’s character, noting how the former player has always embodied the qualities of an underdog who refuses to quit.
The diagnosis has necessitated intensive medical intervention, including specialized CAR T-cell therapy that Braman received in Seattle. This cutting-edge treatment represents one of the most advanced approaches to fighting certain types of cancer, though it comes with significant physical and financial costs.
According to close friend Williams Jones, who organized a crowdfunding campaign to support Braman’s medical expenses, the treatment journey has been particularly challenging. The combination of chemotherapy and surgical procedures has compromised Braman’s immune system, making recovery between treatments difficult. This has created a concerning cycle in which the cancer continues to advance while Braman’s body struggles to bounce back.
Most troubling is the disease’s progression toward vital organs — a development that has prompted Braman and his medical team to explore experimental treatment options. Jones emphasized that despite the setbacks, Braman remains determined and continues researching alternative therapies.
The fundraising campaign has drawn remarkable support from the football community, raising nearly $50,000 and surpassing its original target. Among the notable contributors is former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt, who donated $10,000. Watt and Braman share a special bond, having both joined the Texans as rookies in 2011 — though their paths to the NFL were vastly different.
Braman’s professional football career spanned seven seasons, with his most memorable years coming in Philadelphia. After joining the Eagles in 2014, he became a reliable special teams contributor, appearing in 51 games across three and a half seasons. His career culminated in Super Bowl LII, where he recorded a special teams tackle in the Eagles’ thrilling 41–33 victory over the New England Patriots.
Now living in Seattle with his family, Braman continues to receive treatment while surrounded by loved ones and the extended football family that has rallied around him.