Former LSU player Greg Brooks Jr. is suing school and medical staff over brain surgery, claiming it was malpractice

BATON ROUGE, La. (WVUE) – Former LSU football player and captain Greg Brooks Jr. is suing LSU and its medical center, accusing them of coach and trainer negligence and medical malpractice after a brain tumor diagnosis and surgery that left him permanently disabled.

The 13-page lawsuit, filed in August in East Baton Rouge Parish and obtained by Fox 8 on Friday, accuses several LSU employees and the surgeon who performed the surgery.

Brooks, a senior safety and NFL draft prospect, had played two games for LSU in 2023 before a brain tumor was discovered during an MRI scan. In the lawsuit, Brooks alleges that LSU's coaching staff pressured him to continue practicing despite worsening symptoms and that team trainers failed to properly diagnose his condition, delaying medical treatment.

The lawsuit alleges that during his September 2023 brain surgery, which Dr. Brooks also claims that LSU disclosed confidential medical information about him and used his name, image and likeness without his consent.

The lawsuit names LSU head coach Brian Kelly, former defensive coordinator Matt House, former safeties coach Kerry Cooks, head athletic trainer Owen Stanley and team doctors Stephen Etheredge and Vincent Shaw, as well as Dr. called Gaynor.

In a statement, Our Lady of the Lake declined to comment on Brooks' specific situation, citing patient privacy laws and pending litigation. However, the health system called its neurosurgical team one of the most experienced in Louisiana.

“You give our patients the best chance of a positive outcome under all circumstances,” it said. “As LSU’s Championship Health Partner, Our Lady of the Lake leads the team of health professionals who care for LSU athletes. The team of sports medicine physicians, cardiologists, neurologists and other specialists work with the LSU athletic department to ensure student-athletes receive comprehensive care at the highest level.”

LSU also declined to comment on ongoing litigation.

“Greg Brooks remains in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to go through the rehabilitation process. Since the beginning of our agreement with our championship healthcare partner, Our Lady of the Lake, they have provided exceptional medical care to our student-athletes in all of our sports,” a university spokesperson said in a statement.

Brooks, originally from Harvey, Louisiana, was a standout safety for Arkansas before transferring to LSU in 2022. In his first season as a Tiger, he started 13 games.

A hearing on this case is scheduled for February 10, 2025 before Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts.

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