Even though he plays for the Chargers, New England Patriots fans will be rooting for LA defensive tackle Brandon Mebane this Sunday when the teams face off in the NFL playoffs.
Mebane, 33, lost his seven-week-old daughter Makenna a week ago after the infant spent the entirety of her brief life battling a rare chromosome disorder in the intensive care unit of a medical center.
Mebane missed four games in late November and December to be with his family and also did not play last week when the Chargers took on the Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.
However, he is back with his team and plans to play this weekend in New England.
“You know, it’s been a tough year, period, but she would want me to be here doing my job,” Mebane said. “No matter where I am, I still think about her. I’m just happy I’m still able to play this game.
Makenna’s condition, Trisomy 13, affected her heart and there are only a few surgeons in the country who will operate on such a young patient. The family was planning for her to have the surgery in the spring.
“I’m doing pretty good,” Mebane said. “I’m just trying to take one day at a time. It’s still painful. I thank God every day and still pray.”
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