Former NFL star Greg Olsen has announced the death of his older brother, Chris, at the age of 42.
Olsen, who is now an announcer for Fox, revealed on Thursday morning that Chris had lost his battle against cancer.
The former Carolina Panthers tight end wrote: ‘Despite fighting with every ounce of his being, my older brother Chris has lost his battle with Glioblastoma. This terrible disease took many things, but it could never take Chris’s spirit for life.
‘These past few weeks, people came from all over the country to Little Rock to share Chris stories. We laughed. We cried. We remembered a larger than life personality who made everyone feel his love. More importantly, he was able to feel the love and impact he made on countless people over his 42 years.
‘Our family is devastated. Everyone could take a lesson on how to live life from Chris.
‘I ask that everyone says a prayer for his amazing wife Lindsay. She was his life. He was her “Lovie”. On behalf of our entire family, we thank everyone for their continued prayers and love. We have felt it. Love you brother.’
Former NFL star Greg Olsen has announced the death of his brother, Chris, at the age of 42
The Panthers legend revealed on Thursday morning that Chris had lost his battle with cancer
According to a recent interview with the Charlotte Observer, the 40-year-old was due to fly out to San Francisco on Thursday for the Super Bowl festivities. It remains unclear whether he will still go.
Olsen played in the NFL from 2007 to 2020. A three-time Pro Bowler, he spent most of his career with the Panthers but also had spells with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots in Santa Clara on Sunday.
Since retiring, Olsen has established himself as one of the sharpest broadcasters in the NFL.
He was Fox’s No. 1 color commentator and worked the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles alongside Kevin Burkhardt in 2023.
But Olsen was controversially demoted to the network’s No. 2 spot before the 2024 season started when Tom Brady snatched his spot at the start of his 10-year, $375million Fox deal.
