Sports world is grieving the demise of a former NFL star and a Super Bowl winner Bryan Braman who succumbed to a rare aggressive cancer and died at the age of 38 after he fought bravely.
Braman who played with ferocity and a big heart off the field passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025.
The tragic news was confirmed by his agent, Sean Stellato, who recalled Braman not only as a talented sportsman but also as a kind and generous person who managed to leave a mark in every person he met.
Stellato told NBC affiliate KPRC in Houston, Bryan, people could see this huge human being but his heart was large as his body. His spirit was very inspiring. He was so true and human to all. This is what was special about him.”
Having grown up in Spokane, Washington, Braman went through the rudiments of football to reach the biggest platform in the sports arena. In 2011, Braman was undrafted but he defied all odds to be signed by Houston Texans.
He became very popular with fans with his fearless special teams play. Braman later won the biggest honor as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles when he won the 2017 Super Bowl LII.
Off the field or on, Braman was considered to be tough as well as infectious in personality. His former teammates and friends have gone to social networks to remember him.
I played with Braman in Houston and posted this on X (formerly Twitter): “Rest in Peace brother.” Too, too soon he was gone.
Emmanuel Acho, another of Johnson-Bellis former teammates, paid an emotional tribute. This morning I was not planning to cry.
Then I went through the news about my team mate, Bryan Braman. Love you Braman. You had a tough life and you never complained. A hero in life and a fighter in death.”
Braman is fighting cancer and his health issues came into the public eye earlier this year. The ex-linebacker was diagnosed in February with a rare and aggressive cancer.
Based on updates posted on one of the GoFundMe pages established by his close friend William Jones, Braman has received aggressive 12-week therapies in Seattle, in which he underwent numerous surgeries and underwent a unique Car-T cell reprogramming therapy.
At first, the doctors had some positive respond because the cancerous mass began to reduce in size.
However, unfortunately, the situation of Braman deteriorated. Jones wrote in an update on June 20 that at first the mass indeed began to shrink, but then the cancer began to fight.
Bryan has been forced to undergo some surgery procedures but he had his immunity weakened that it did not bounce back and the cancer progressed towards his vital organs.
Braman was in a heroic battle as his loved one surrounded him through exhausting treatments. Regrettably, chemotherapy became scarce and in his last weeks cancer became strong.
His death has created a huge gap in the hearts of fans, team mates, and also in the football fraternity. However, the story of Braman has been about perseverance, strength and heart.
Through being undrafted and transforming himself into a Super Bowl champion, and then overcoming cancer using whatever strength he had, Braman set an example of strength to his viewers.
His agent Stellato told me: He lent me his bed whenever I should visit Philadelphia. He would intimidate me when I did not follow him. That is what type of person Bryan was, selfless, caring, and loyal.”
He was also described as an explosive athlete with crazy moments on the field, one of which was when he tackled a punt returner and headbutted him, not wearing even a helmet.
His fearless play was loved by fans and he was loved by his teammates because of his hard work and effort.
Prior to NFL, Braman played college football in West Texas A&M University and the University of Idaho, where he earned a reputation as an aggressive and high-motor player.
Overall, he played seven years in the NFL leaving an unforgettable imprint in two teams, Houston and Philadelphia.
Braman was also a fun loving being and was deeply involved in the society off the field. He attended various charity functions and never failed to take time off with fans particularly young children who admired him.
With NFL world still coming into terms of his untimely death, one thing is definite: the memory of Bryan Braman will live much beyond his highlight reels. He was a fighter, champion, and above all a man with a heart.
There is no announced funeral plan. In the meantime, friends and family members are still mourning the life and contributions made by Braman to his beloved game.
Bryan Braman taught all of us something in his death and life as well, and this was that one should never give up.
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