Former LSU Tigers safety Greg Brooks has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana State University and its affiliated medical center, alleging negligence related to a brain tumor surgery that ended his football career and left him with severe, lifelong injuries. The lawsuit, reported by Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, claims that a series of missteps by LSU’s coaching staff, trainers, and medical professionals resulted in catastrophic consequences for Brooks’ health.
The legal filing stems from an operation Brooks underwent in the fall to remove a brain tumor. According to the lawsuit, Brooks accuses the LSU coaching staff of pressuring him to continue playing despite feeling unwell and threatens to strip him of his starting position if he didn’t suit up. Additionally, Brooks claims that the team’s trainers misdiagnosed his condition for weeks, refusing to refer him to a neurological specialist who could have identified the tumor earlier.
The lawsuit also targets Dr. Brandon Gaynor, the neurosurgeon who performed the operation at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Brooks alleges that he suffered multiple strokes following the surgery, which he claims were caused by medical malpractice. The court documents reveal that Brooks is now “permanently disabled” and suffering from “catastrophic neurological injuries” as a result of the surgery.
One of the most severe aspects of Brooks’ current condition is his diagnosis of posterior fossa syndrome, a debilitating condition that affects speech, motor skills, and behavior. The lawsuit asserts that this condition developed directly due to the malpractice of the neurosurgeons involved in his care. Brooks, now paralyzed, will “likely need care for the rest of his life,” according to the lawsuit.
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Brooks, who played in 50 games throughout his college football career with both Arkansas and LSU, was known as a talented defensive player.
Over the course of his career, he recorded 93 total tackles and six interceptions, making him a key player for both programs. However, his football career was cut short following the discovery and removal of the brain tumor, which has now left him with permanent disabilities.
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of Brooks’ experience at LSU, detailing how the coaching staff allegedly encouraged him to continue playing through his illness, unaware of the severity of his condition. The failure of the trainers to recognize the signs of a brain tumor and refer him to the appropriate specialists is another central point of the lawsuit. Brooks claims that had the tumor been diagnosed earlier, the extent of his injuries might have been prevented or minimized.
As the lawsuit progresses, it raises serious questions about the handling of athlete health and safety at major collegiate programs, particularly how medical issues are diagnosed and treated within the high-pressure environment of college football.
For Brooks, the long-term consequences of these alleged failures are devastating, as he faces a lifetime of care and rehabilitation.
The case has drawn significant attention, not only because of Brooks’ status as a former high-profile college athlete but also due to the broader implications it could have on how colleges manage the health and well-being of their players.
LSU has yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit or the allegations.
