BATON ROUGE, La. — On Wednesday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly addressed assertions made on national television regarding his lack of concern for Greg Brooks Jr. after the defensive back had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor, effectively ending his football career.

“You may challenge my abilities as a football coach or the decisions made on the field, but when it comes to personal matters, as a father and husband, I draw the line there,” Kelly stated during a press conference focused on transfer players.

He elaborated, “Those remarks really resonated with me. They struck a deep chord.”

Kelly’s remarks came in response to statements made by Brooks’ father, Greg Brooks Sr., on ABC’s “Good Morning America” earlier that week.

“My son was on the brink of losing his life, coach,” Brooks Sr. expressed, insisting that there had been no communication from Kelly since October 2023. “Where were you? Forget football just for a second. A simple phone call to express your love would have meant a lot.”

The lawsuit filed by Brooks alleges that LSU was negligent in addressing his medical symptoms promptly and that they permitted an unqualified physician to perform the surgery after he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in September 2023.

During the operation, Brooks reportedly suffered multiple strokes, which the lawsuit claims have necessitated him relearning basic functions such as eating and writing. He is still facing challenges with speech and is unable to walk unassisted.

Initial symptoms began to manifest during a preseason practice, including nausea, dizziness, and headaches. The lawsuit also suggests that LSU coaches pressured him to participate in the first two games of the season, warning him he might lose his starting position if he chose to sit out.

It was only after more than a month of experiencing symptoms that LSU eventually referred Brooks to a neurologist, who then discovered the tumor.

“It is simply not true to claim that I was absent during Greg’s difficult journey through this,” Kelly asserted. “I visited him numerous times, and a member of my staff was present nearly every single day.”

Kelly concluded by affirming his affection for Brooks, saying, “We care for Greg deeply, not just as a player but as an extraordinary person and a fighter. We can only hope for his continued healing during this exceptionally tough time. It was critical for me to clarify my feelings and my presence in Greg’s life.”