Bryan Braman, former Eagles player and Super Bowl champ, dies at 38 after brain cancer diagnosis

Former NFL linebacker Bryan Braman, who made a key-but-overlooked play in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory in 2018, died Wednesday night following a brain cancer diagnosis made earlier this year, his agent said.

The 38-year-old Braman died at a hospital in his native Spokane, Washington, agent Sean Stellato told NBC News.

"I lost my football brother, my client and my dear friend, and it hurts, to say the least," Stellato said.

Braman played at Long Beach City (Calif.) College at Division II West Texas A&M before signing as an un-drafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2011.

He established himself as a dependable special teams contributor for three seasons in Houston before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles for four more campaigns.

"He was awesome, always full of energy," said Matthew Harper, the assistant special teams coach on Braman's final squad, the 2017-18 world champion Eagles.

"People loved him for that and he showed the same thing on and off the field."

The Eagles released a statement praising Braman and offering condolences to his family.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman. During his fours seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team," the team said.

"More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him," the statement continues. "We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time."

Braman's final professional game came in Super Bowl 52 when Philadelphia scored a 41-33 upset victory over the New England Patriots on Feb. 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Braman made a key tackle late in the game to keep New England at bay.

Down by 8 with a little more than a minute left, the Patriots tried a trick play with Dion Lewis fielding a kickoff and lateraling the ball to Rex Burkhead.

Braman wasn't fooled by the misdirection and he brought down Burkhead at New England's 9-yard line.

That poor field position doomed New England, as the Patriots could only reach their own 49 as time expired and Philadelphia hoisted its first Lombardi Trophy.

"If our guys weren't on their job, that could've been a big play and that could've changed the whole situation of that game," Harper said.

In the moment, Braman barely got any recognition for the tackle. His name wasn't immediately mentioned in the broadcast as legendary quarterback Tom Brady took the field for a last-ditch drive.

"That's fine because the only thing that really mattered was that people in the building knew how great he was and how much credit he deserved in that play," Harper said.

Braman is survived by two daughters, 11 and 8, and his mother and sister, according to Stellato.

"He took a narrow road as an underdog to become a world champion, it's pretty incredible," Stellato said.

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