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    Clemson DT Bryan Bresee's Sister, Ella, Dies of Brain Cancer at Age 15

    Tim Daniels@@TimDanielsBRFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 15, 2022

    CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 10: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (11) during a college football game between the Furman Paladins and the Clemson Tigers on September 10, 2022, at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
    Bryan Bresee (John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee announced Thursday his 15-year-old sister, Ella, died from cancer.

    The Associated Press reported Ella was "battling an aggressive form of brain cancer." Bryan posted a statement on Instagram alongside pictures with his sister:

    "My beautiful sister Ella you amazed me every single day with the fight that you put up and how joyful you were constantly through this battle. Never did I think I would be sitting here today saying bye to you. I want to thank you for bringing happiness to not only me but so many people. You are the best sister a brother could ask for and I know for a fact heaven has gained a beautiful angel today, Love you forever and always Ella bear."

    Mike Gillespie @MikeABCColumbia

    Awful news this morning. <br><br>Clemson’s Bryan Bresee announced that his 15-year old sister, Ella, has died from brain cancer. <br><br>Ella spent part of last week with the Tigers before airlifted back to D.C. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EllaStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EllaStrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ux8eQOBhfd">pic.twitter.com/Ux8eQOBhfd</a>

    The Tigers honored Bresee's sister by wearing "Ella Strong" shirts before Saturday's win over Furman after she returned to the family's home state of Maryland for treatment following a visit with the team early last week:

    Clemson Football @ClemsonFB

    Today, the entire Clemson Family is supporting Bryan, the entire Bresee family, and Bryan's sister Ella in her battle with brain cancer. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EllaStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EllaStrong</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClemsonFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClemsonFamily</a> <a href="https://t.co/l4pJR3yi1T">pic.twitter.com/l4pJR3yi1T</a>

    Bresee traveled back to Maryland following the game, and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said football was not relevant when asked about the standout lineman's availability for this Saturday's game against Louisiana Tech.

    Clemson DT Bryan Bresee's Sister, Ella, Dies of Brain Cancer at Age 15
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    "I don't know and really don't care," Swinney told reporters Wednesday.

    He added: "As I said, yesterday there are bigger things than football. He needs to focus on what he's doing, and when he's ready to be back and ready to play, we'll be here. But right now, he's right where he needs to be."

    Bresee is a redshirt sophomore who joined the Tigers program in 2020.