Bryan Braman, an ex-NFL linebacker who was well loved for his fight while on the field, and his kindness while not, passed away at the young age of 38 from a very rare and aggressive cancer. On July 17, 2025, he died after going through treatments in Seattle that included CAR‑T cell therapy and multiple surgeries. He leaves behind two daughters, who are 11 and 8 years old, and his pride.
How the Diagnosis Happened, and Treatment Started
In February the doctors, told Braman, he has the aggressive cancer. Shortly after, he 12 week CAR‑T cell therapy in Seattle, hoping to make his own immune system a fighter. That treatment had shrunk some tumors initially, which gave everyone hope, but then the complications came. His body, too damaged from the CAR‑T cell therapy and weakened to begin with, could not recover, and the cancer came roaring back, spreading all over vital organs and alarming doctors. The GoFundMe article mentioned:
"The main issue has been Bryan not being able to recover because of his immune system being essentially expunged by the procedure…the cancer was over growing, so rapidly it spread much faster than anticipated".
GoFundMe, NFL Family, and Community Support
The moment the story went public, there was a crowdfunding campaign, initiated by William Jones of Queen Creek, that raised over $88,000—far exceeding the goal of $25,000. The raise wasn’t just monetarily. First and foremost was J.J. Watt with his $10K donation, and heartfelt contributions from Chris Long, Brent Celek, Najee Goode and others.
The GoFundMe page highlighted Christensen’s exorbitant cost incurred by: motel stays which exceeded $100 nightly, meals, caregiving, no stable place to lay their heads. Braman and his family sold his car and had a lot of uncertainty, but the graciousness of friends and fans allowed him to persevere.
What Made Bryan So Special
Bryan was more than just a football player, he was a force. An undrafted rookie in 2011, he displayed lots of skill and tenacity to become a special-teams warrior. His career culminated in Super Bowl LII when he performed remarkably by blocking a punt and helping the Eagles knock off the Patriots in 2018. Fans still remember this moment.
"RIP Bryan Braman. Forever an Eagle. A champ on and off the field," a fan wrote in response.
"Heartbreaking loss for the NFL community. Prayers for his daughters," another fan said.
Social media also lit up:
Tweet from @jasrifootball:
Prayers: Former #Eagles’ Super Bowl Champion linebacker Bryan Braman is battling a rare and life threatening form of cancer and is fighting for his life.
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) July 5, 2025
The costs of treatment has put a serious financial strain on the Braman family and they have set up a GoFundMe to help with… pic.twitter.com/vdjl2H4KOb
“The costs of treatment has put a serious financial strain on the Braman family…”
Fresh Insights: What No One Is Talking About
- Matching Funds from Local Charities: Regional Seattle cancer support groups are providing dollar for dollar matching grants to families like the Bramans. Donors who select "Seattle Cancer Match" on GoFundMe can double their impact.
- Mental Health Stressors: Caregivers can be burnt out. After many inquiries from Braman’s daughters, mental health professionals quietly offered hundreds of dollars of pro bono counselling sessions to help support the mental health of the daughters realizing the emotional impact a cancer diagnosis has long-term.
- NFL Alumni Housing Program: A pilot housing program for ex-players in a medical crisis has already helped others former athletes. I understand the Braman family was fast-tracked to get put into consideration just days before his passing but did not get funding in time to help for a house.
Why This Matters
- Cost of Cancer Care in U.S.: Even with private health insurance, advanced care like CAR-T can bankrupt families. Braman's story tells us about understanding the greater struggle behind the hopeful care of a loved one.
- The strength of community: When a public figure exposes themselves to vulnerability and need, people come out! The compassion and support he received shows how closely our shared humanity lies beneath the well-deserved notoriety of what it means to be an athlete.
- Awareness of mental health: The struggle is not just about treatment it is about the burden of the emotional impact—especially on those left behind.
- The power of awareness: We will not know until it is mentioned about matching grants and mental health supports the facilitators of the donations and the organizations who benefit from them.
Bryan Braman’s life example provides a stark reminder of the extremes of athletic success and the fragility of human health. His story should encourage us to engage—to get involved not only in a monetary sense but in an emotional one, and to share every detail that we think may be helpful, so no family does not tackle a crisis alone.
