Clemson Tigers' Bryan Bresee suffers devastating personal loss
Clemson, South Carolina - Clemson's star defensive tackle Bryan Bresee has announced the tragic passing of his beloved sister Ella after a hard-fought battle with brain cancer.
![Clemson standout Bryan Bresee pictured with his family during their visit to Clemson Week 2 of college football.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/0/2/02tmy55psiij1mcqxjge5u8ps0hmr1fe.jpg)
"I want to thank you for bringing happiness to not only me but so many people," he wrote on Instagram on Thursday morning. "I know for a fact heaven has gained a beautiful angel today. Love you forever and always Ella bear."
Last Saturday, 15-year-old Ella was honored during the Furman game in Week 2 of college football.
Clemson players and staff members wore T-shirts with "Ella Strong" embroidered.
Though Bresee's sibling was given a front-row view for the game, she had a setback and returned to a hospital in Washington – closer to the family's Maryland home – before the game began.
Following Clemson's 35-12 victory, the athlete also traveled back to Washington to be closer to his sister.
"There's a lot more important things than football," Swinney said on Wednesday during a Week 3 press conference. "He needs to focus on what he's doing and [if] he's ready to be back and ready to play, hey, we'll be here. But right now, he's right where he needs to be."
Clemson Football mourns with the Bresee family
![Ella Bresee was honored during Clemson's football game against Furman University on Saturday September 10, 2022.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/n/s/nsdke6hpuga4qhvbf2m71u9cxuejb71s.jpg)
Tributes from Clemson's community poured in following Ella's passing.
"Our prayers continue to be with the entire Bresee family," Swinney said in a statement. "We are all so appreciative of all of the love and support that has been shown by the Clemson Family and so many others during this time."
"Ella was such a sweet spirit, and her spirit will continue to live on throughout the Bresee family and everyone who had the opportunity to know her. I am stronger today for having experienced Ella's strength and courage," he added.
Clemson's athletic department changed its Twitter bio to #EllaStrong, while the football program shared a heartfelt statement of its own, saying the late Ella will be a continued "source of light" for the team and entire Clemson community.
On Saturday, No. 5 Clemson will host Louisiana Tech with kickoff scheduled for 8:00PM.
Cover photo: Screenshot / Instagram / bryan_bresee