Bryan Braman didn’t initially share his cancer news with his daughters and ex-girlfriend, a close family friend exclusively tells PEOPLE. The Super Bowl champion, who died Thursday, July 17, 'didn't know how aggressive this was,

Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bryan Braman has died after a battle with a rare, aggressive form of cancer. He was 38.

Former NFL linebacker Bryan Braman passed away at 38 years old on Thursday after battling a rare form of cancer. Braman was diagnosed with the aggressive disease in February and had undergone several surgeries in Seattle, according to a GoFundMe set up to help him pay for the expenses of the treatment.