Former LSU captain's lawsuit after suffering permanent disability includes accusations against Brian Kelly

Former LSU captain Greg Brooks Jr. is suing the school after his football career ended last year. His lawsuit has revealed a set of heartbreaking and devastating accusations of medical malpractice and inaction from head coach Brian Kelly and his staff. 

Yahoo Sports first reported details on the lawsuit, which are disturbing. Now considered "permanently disabled," Brooks can't walk after getting surgery for a brain tumor over one year ago. 

The lawsuit outlines the onset of Brooks' health issues during football practice in August, leading up to his emergency brain operation in September—a saga that captured nationwide attention last year. Despite participating in two football matches, it wasn't until an MRI scan was conducted that a brain tumor was detected.

Brooks' legal complaint alleges that the coaching staff pressured him to continue training and competing, even when sick, by threatening his position on the team. 

Furthermore, he claims that the team's medical personnel failed to diagnose his ailment accurately and delayed recommending a consultation with a neurology specialist for an extended period.

Brooks alleged he suffered "catastrophic neurological injuries” and is “permanently disabled” from the brain surgery performed by Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center surgeon Brandon Gaynor. He claimed he endured  “multiple strokes” from “acts of malpractice.” 

The legal action also implicates several members of the LSU coaching and medical staff, including head coach Brian Kelly, former defensive coordinator Matt House, former safeties coach Kerry Cooks, lead athletic trainer Owen Stanley, and team physicians Stephen Etheredge and Vincent Shaw, holding them partly accountable alongside Gaynor.

The school responded, "While LSU cannot comment on ongoing litigation, Greg Brooks remains in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to work through the rehabilitation process. Since the beginning of our agreement with our Championship Health Partner, Our Lady of the Lake, they have provided exceptional medical care for our student-athletes in all of our sports.”

Still unable to walk, use his right hand, and struggle to speak, the lawsuit states, "Greg will likely need care for the rest of his life for the injuries he sustained as a result of his providers’ malpractice...Obviously, Greg will also never be able to play football again and he will likely never be able to work and/or care for himself without the assistance of others.”

Furthermore, the suit claims his symptoms are a “direct result of these neurosurgeons’ malpractice." 

This developing story is incredibly sad, and we hope Brooks' recovery process hastens.