On Saturday, former Penn State linebacker Bani Gbadyu died after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 34 years old and is survived by his wife Molly, and three children.
Gbadyu, who was born in Liberia, escaped the country with his brother at a young age to Gaithersburg, Maryland. He then played at Penn State from 2007-10, playing mostly on special teams and serving as a backup to standouts Dan Connor, Navarro Bowman and Mike Mauti.
Gbadyu’s cancer diagnosis surprised him and his family. He attended a Penn State’s home opener against Ohio Sept. 10 with his wife and two of his children.
He discussed his battle with the disease in a Facebook post Oct. 12
“I never thought that I would hear ‘Advanced Pancreatic Cancer’ in my life, much less at a young age,” he wrote. “Hearing and learning that I have cancer and being in the hospital for the last two weeks has been the hardest experience of my life. One thing that I have realized quickly is how amazing people I have in my life from family, church, and friends from every stage of life. Molly and I have truly overwhelmed by the love and support that has already wrapped around our family. I feel blessed that there is an army invading heaven with prayers on my behalf. I know and I can feel that God is loving me through his unimaginable time. I know everyone is supporting me, and, most importantly, my wife, my family and my kids believe in me. I hope that journey can be a lesson for someone, at some point in time. We are going to lean on God and Fight On #FightOnBani.”
People can donate to Gyadyu and his family to help with medical and funeral costs on the GoFundMe link below
