Brian Kelly and the national media haven’t seen eye to eye, but the LSU Tigers head coach is currently prioritizing a different discussion surrounding him. Rather than addressing reports about himself or his team, he is focusing on the recent conversation sparked by Greg Brooks Sr. and his son, Brooks Jr., who shared their ongoing legal battle with Louisiana State University on Good Morning America.
During the interview, Brooks Sr. directly called out Kelly, expressing frustration over the lack of communication since October 2023, stating, “My son almost lost his life, coach. Where were you?” He urged Kelly to show concern beyond football and simply reach out to his son. In September 2023, Brooks Jr. underwent emergency surgery to remove a tumor due to a rare brain cancer. This unfortunate situation escalated when Brooks Jr. filed a lawsuit against LSU in October 2024, claiming negligence in his medical care that resulted in strokes and left him permanently disabled. He now faces daily occupational therapy to relearn essential skills such as speaking, writing, and eating.
Brian Kelly opened his press conference by addressing his “love” for Greg Brooks Jr. + the accusations made in a national TV interview.
Kelly went into detail on his time w/ Greg after he was hospitalized + said the staff and LSU community has been behind Greg from the start. pic.twitter.com/4KlLB37zdu
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) February 5, 2025
In light of Brooks’s claims, Kelly sought to clarify his position, asserting, “Here’s what I can tell you: it is factually incorrect to state that I was not there by Greg’s side through this ordeal. I was there on multiple occasions; we had somebody from my staff that was there virtually every single day. We love Greg for the person he is, the competitor he is, and the battler he is. We can only wish him continued progress during this incredibly difficult time.” He emphasized the importance of being involved in his players’ care, stating, “That was extremely important for me to talk about… Off the field, I am actively involved in every community, and this is where the line is drawn for me.”
Kelly conveyed that the comments made about his lack of involvement deeply affected him, illustrating his commitment to supporting Greg Brooks Jr. and the entire LSU community during his medical crisis. He made it clear that any suggestions to the contrary are misrepresentations of the reality of the situation.