Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell shared in a statement that his oldest brother, Sean, died prior to the team’s win over Indiana on Saturday.
“My family and I would like to express our gratitude and support we have received over the past few days,” O’Connell said in a statement shared by Purdue Football on Twitter. “We are deeply saddened to share the passing of my oldest brother, Sean.
“Sean was not only one of Purdue football’s biggest fans, but he was a better son, brother and friend. He lit up any room he walked in and all that knew him testify to his contagious joy. We trust the lord to provide strength and hope, and we appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time.”
The statement did not provide a cause of death or exact date of O’Connell’s brother’s passing.
Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell throws a pass during a college football game agains the Indiana Hoosiers on Nov. 26, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Aidan O’Connell with Eli Manning and Peyton Manning.Aidan O'Connell/Instagram
O’Connell was seen crying into a towel near the end of Purdue’s 30-16 win over rival Indiana on Saturday.
Coach Jeff Brohm said O’Connell has “got a lot going on right now after the game and the coach did not divulge further details about the situation.
O’Connell was 18-of-29 for 290 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win over Indiana, where Purdue clinched its first Big Ten West title.
The sixth-year senior is in his second season as Purdue’s starter after earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021. He was a walk-on for the Boilermakers, and currently ranks fourth in school history with 65 touchdown passes after breaking a tie with Kyle Orton (63) on Saturday.
Purdue quarterback Aidan O’ConnellGetty
Aidan O’Connell against IndianaGetty Images O’Connell married his college sweetheart, Jael Johnson, who is a former Purdue volleyball player, in August. The Long Grove, Illinois native proposed in March.
Purdue will face No. 2 Michigan in the Big Ten title game next weekend in Indianapolis.
