Five-time cancer survivor Case O’Brien’s football career with the Gophers has ended.
The redshirt junior holder announced Wednesday that he’s retiring from football and pursuing a career in financial planning.
“Thank you for providing me with a platform to help change the world of cancer,” O’Brien tweeted. “I am thankful for all the doctors, nurses and staff at Masonic Children’s Hospital who care for kids just like me.”
O’Brien, who defeated cancer for a fifth time last May, has battled osteosarcoma since he was a young teenager. He learned of his diagnosis when he was 13 and has since undergone a full left knee replacement, multiple lung surgeries, and several chemotherapy treatments.
O’Brien’s dream was to play college football for his home state Gophers, and his dream came true in Minnesota’s victory over Rutgers in October 2019.
The St. Paul native’s story has inspired people across the country. He was an honorary speaker at the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon prior to the 2019 season and was featured on ESPN’s College Gameday last season.
Thank you, Minnesota
Thank you, College Football#RTB #5x pic.twitter.com/nymLXqxiOD— Casey O'Brien (@caseyob14) January 14, 2021
