Ella Bresee passes away, brother Bryan announces on Instagram

We have some very sad news to pass on to you this morning as Ella Bresee, the 15-year-old sister of Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, passed away early this morning.

The Clemson Tigers wore E11A Strong shirts on Saturday to honor her before the Furman game. 

Yesterday, Dabo Swinney said that Bryan was “right where he needs to be” when asked about Bresee's absence from the program.

"There's a lot more important 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,” Swinney said last night. 

Bresee was also named as this week’s nominee for the 2022 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.

Bresee said in a post on his Instagram account:

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.❤️

http://instagr.am/p/Cihois6rN-e

Ella was in Clemson last week and spoke with players on Wednesday before having a major setback. Following Clemson’s win over Furman, Bresee was asked to describe his little sister after she had to be airlifted back to the Washington DC area last week.

“Super outgoing. Just a good person to be around. She’s always super positive no matter what’s going on,” Bresee said of Ella. (She) just brings a smile to my face whenever I’m around her, and anybody who’s around her. She was here this week and got to spend some time with the team and the coaches, so everyone got to see that.”

Dabo Swinney also put out a statement today via Clemson Football’s Twitter account:

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bresee family during this incredibly difficult time.