Former Penn State linebacker Bani Gbadyu died Saturday morning due to complications from pancreatic cancer. The 34-year-old was admitted to the Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania and was in ICU.

According to the York Daily Record, Gbadyu’s cancer was detected last month during a doctor’s visit.

Last week, he opened up about his cancer struggle in a Facebook post.

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“I feel blessed that there is an army invading heaven with prayers on my behalf. I know and can feel that God is loving me through this unimaginable time. I know everyone is supporting me, and most importantly my wife, family and kids believe in me. I hope that my journey can be a lesson for someone, at some point in time. We are going to lean on God and Fight On. #FightOnBani.”

He is survived by his wife and three children.

Who is Bani Gbadyu?

Gbadyu, who escaped war-torn Liberia as a child, played for Penn State from 2007-10 as a special teamer, key backup and part-time starter. He is the son of Digoa Gbadyu and has a brother, Emmanuel.

He was the team captain at Quince Orchard HS. While playing for coach Dave Mencarini, he earned Washington Post All-Met honors during his senior season. 

During his four seasons with Penn State, Gbadyu posted 118 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, one interception, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

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After his college football career, he joined the then-Oakland Raiders for a tryout. However, he never played a game for the franchise. He also served as a high school football coach around Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

“If you have ever experienced the joy and happiness of meeting Bani, it’s likely a memory you will always cherish and remember. As you would imagine, he is keeping a positive attitude and doing everything he can to battle this illness. His amazing wife, Molly, and he are people of faith who believe in prayer and trust God is giving the doctors and nurses involved in his care all the knowledge and skills they need to treat him. Your prayers and positive thoughts are appreciated more than you will ever know,” a GoFundMe page set up while Gbadyu was hospitalized read.