Bryan Bresee on sister Ella: 'I know she's still watching over me'

Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee returned to the field Saturday afternoon against Wake Forest after missing last week’s game against Louisiana Tech.

Bresee did not play last week after his sister, Ella Bresee, passed away following a battle with brain cancer.

Bresee’s family joined him in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for the game, just a few days after Ella’s funeral earlier this week.

Bryan Bresee spoke about the emotional past couple of weeks following Clemson’s 51-45 win.

“I knew it’s what Ella would want me to do,” Bresee said of returning to the field. “She loved watching all of us play. My family all being here and being together and everything, it just brings my family joy. … I know she’s still watching over me, so I knew what I had to do.”

Bresee started the game and was credited with two tackles.

It was a rough afternoon overall for the Clemson defense as the Tigers allowed Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman to pass for 337 yards and six touchdowns, but Bresee was thankful Clemson was still able to find a way to win.

“It’s tough getting back and being away from my family, but it’s good just to be back and to have something else to focus on while I’m out there playing,’ Bresee said. “It’s kind of something that takes your mind off of everything from reality for a while, so it’s been really good.”

Bresee added that he has received a ton of support from people at Clemson and throughout the college football world over the past few weeks.

That includes the entire Louisiana Tech football team writing letters to the Bresee family.

“It’s been amazing, whether it’s been other schools, the community of Clemson, teams, coaches, just teammates, everybody has done a great job of supporting us,” he said. “It’s a huge help.”

Up next for Clemson is a home game against another top 25 opponent in NC State on Saturday.

Overall, the Tigers have eight games remaining in the regular season.

“I know she’s looking over us. She loves Clemson football, so she’ll be with us the whole way,” Bresee said.