“Bryan Braman was a warrior in every sense – on the field and in life – facing every battle with unshakable grit and heart,” Sean Stellato said per CNN. “His passing leaves a void not just in football, but in the spirit of every underdog who ever dared to fight.”

A GoFundMe page was set up to support Bryan Braman after he was diagnosed with a rare, life-thr**tening ca**er in February. He needed an intense 12-week treatment program in Seattle, which required a 24-hour caregiver. However, his insurance didn’t cover housing, leaving him without a permanent place to stay. He had already spent much of his savings, even selling his last vehicle to afford a motel for the week.

A June 20 GoFundMe update shared that Bryan Braman had returned home after undergoing CAR-T cell therapy in Seattle for a very rare form of ca**er. While the treatment initially showed promise—his reprogrammed cells began reproducing and shrinking the t*mor—the cancer soon fought back. He has since begun chemotherapy tailored to his treatment program.