Aidan O’Connell, Purdue’s star quarterback, shared the tragic news that his oldest brother passed away recently in a statement posted by Purdue on Twitter.

The news comes following Purdue’s final game of the season against Indiana, where O’Connell was visibly emotional on the sidelines during the final moments of the game. After the game, Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm alluded to something going on in O’Connell’s life.

“My family and I would like to express our gratitude for the love and support we have received over the past few days,” O’Connell said in the statement. “We are deeply saddened to share the passing of my oldest brother, Sean.”

O’Connell expressed how big of a Purdue fan his brother was as well as what he meant to him.

“Sean was not only one of Purdue Football’s biggest fans, but he was a better son, brother and friend,” he said. “He lit up any room he walked in and all that knew him testify  to his contagious joy.”