Sports
After Newborn's Death, Chargers Co-Captain To Play Patriots
Los Angeles's Brandon Mebane missed last week's playoff game after the death of his 7-week-old daughter.
FOXBOROUGH, MA — Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman and co-captain Brandon Mebane will play against the Patriots this weekend after his 7-week-old daughter died last week.
Mebane said his daughter, Makenna, died Thursday. She was born without a heart valve due to trisomy 13, a heart condition. She needed surgery to fix the condition, and Mebane stayed with his wife and their two children in Omaha, Neb., as Makenna received medical assistance.
Mebane missed five games to be with his family. He was back for the final two regular-season games, but missed last Sunday's playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens. He returned to the team Wednesday in advance of Sunday's AFC Divisional playoff game in Foxborough against New England.
Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"No matter where I am, I still think about her," Mebane told reporters. "I'm just happy I'm still able to play this game."
The 33-year-old is known as one of the league's premier run-stoppers.
Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Words are hard to come by with the passing of Brandon Mebane’s infant daughter, Makenna. We are heartbroken. Please join us in keeping Brandon, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) January 9, 2019
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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