Bryan Braman, the 38-year-old former NFL lineman, tragically passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer. In his final days, he spent precious moments with the people he loved most — his two daughters, aged 11 and 8.
A Devoted Father
Braman’s agent, Sean Stellato, shared the heartbreaking details with PEOPLE, revealing that the athlete’s daughters were with him in his last two weeks of life. “He loved his two girls so, so much. They were everything, his legacy,” Stellato said, highlighting the deep bond between Braman and his children.
Stellato, who had a close personal and professional relationship with Braman, described him as a “true football brother” — a sentiment shared by many in the sports community who admired Braman for his unyielding spirit.
A Warrior On and Off the Field
Stellato recalled the strength and resilience Braman exhibited both on the football field and in life. “He faced every battle with unshakable grit and heart,” Stellato remarked. “His passing really leaves a void, not only in the football community, but in the spirit of every underdog who ever had to fight to play this game.”
Braman’s journey to the NFL was not an easy one. After signing with the Houston Texans as a rookie free agent out of West Texas A&M in 2011, he went on to play three seasons with the team before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. During his four years with the Eagles, Braman achieved one of the highest honors in football — winning Super Bowl LII.
A Special Moment on the Super Bowl Field
Stellato shared a deeply emotional memory of that Super Bowl win, saying, “Him and I cried in each other’s arms when he won Super Bowl LII on the field. And I was holding his daughter in a photo, which was really cool.” For Braman, that moment was more than just a victory on the field — it was a culmination of years of perseverance and hard work.
A Gentle Giant with a Heart of Gold
Despite his towering presence at 6’6″ and 250 pounds, Braman was known for his kindness and generosity. Stellato described him as a “gentle giant” who would do anything for others.
“He’d be the first one to hold the door for someone, to give a few dollars to someone that was homeless, because he was homeless in his earlier days,” Stellato shared.
Braman’s larger-than-life persona on the field — where his mantra was “Kill, maim, destroy” — was balanced by his humility and kindness off the field. Stellato emphasized that Braman’s true legacy lies in his ability to show love and compassion freely, in addition to his fierce dedication to the game.
Perseverance and Legacy
Braman had been undergoing intensive treatment in Seattle for the cancer that ultimately took his life. He had undergone multiple surgeries as part of a 12-week treatment regimen, and his story of strength and perseverance touched many.
According to a GoFundMe created for Braman’s medical expenses, his battle with cancer was marked by resilience in the face of adversity.
Stellato summed up Braman’s life by saying, “Circumstances don’t really define a person. They reveal them.” He believes that this statement perfectly captures Braman’s journey — one where his true character shone through, even in the toughest of times.
As Braman’s loved ones and fans mourn his passing, Stellato shared one final wish for how people should remember the football star: “I just want people to remember him as someone that was a staple for the underdog, but just so passionate in this game and giving back to people.
He was just a real, genuine, gentle giant off the field, but an absolute, like I mentioned, Tarzan on the field.”
Braman’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through the love he gave to those closest to him, the impact he made on the football world, and the inspiring strength he demonstrated throughout his life.
