Eagles Linebacker Balances NFL Dream with Family Agony After Brother Hurt in Minneapolis Catholic School Tragedy

For one Eagles linebacker, the happiest moment of his career turned into heartbreak in a matter of hours. Fresh off the celebration of making Philadelphia’s 53-man roster, he received a devastating call from his mother: his younger brother had been caught in the Minneapolis Catholic School tragedy.

The attack unfolded during morning mass at a Catholic school in South Minneapolis, when an armed assailant opened fire inside the church. Panic and chaos broke out as children and parishioners scrambled for cover. Authorities later confirmed that two children were killed, and at least 17 others were hospitalized.

Witnesses described scenes of terror. Students screamed, stained glass shattered, and parents frantically tried to reach their children. The FBI has since labeled the incident as a potential hate crime, given the targeting of a Catholic gathering. For the families inside, the horror felt endless.

Among the survivors was the linebacker’s younger brother, who recounted the chilling moments inside the sanctuary. “I was like two seats away from the stained glass window,” he said. “My friend, Victor, saved me though, because he laid on top of me, but he got hit.” His voice cracked as he remembered.

He continued: “My friend got hit in the back, he went to the hospital… I was super scared for him but I think now he’s okay.” His words captured the fear and confusion of that day, the kind that no child should ever have to endure.

Local reports revealed the attacker, 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot. Police found multiple firearms and even a smoke bomb. Neighbors recalled hearing booms, initially thinking it was construction noise before realizing it was gunfire tearing through the church.

For the Eagles linebacker, the contrast was cruel. “I was celebrating making the 53-man roster when I got a call from my mom, telling me my brother had been injured and was in the hospital,” he later admitted. “It’s the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced.”

That linebacker is Zack Baun, a Super Bowl champion and key piece of Philadelphia’s defense. Just days earlier, he had signed a $51 million contract extension, securing his place in the Eagles’ future. Yet none of that mattered when his family’s safety was suddenly ripped away.

The Eagles organization quickly rallied around Baun, offering counseling and urging fans to keep the victims in their prayers. Across social media, messages of support poured in: “Stay strong, Baun. Philly is with you,” one fan posted. Another added: “Family first, always. Fly Eagles Fly, we’ve got your back.”

This tragedy is a sobering reminder that football is just a game, while life is fragile and irreplaceable. For Baun, the dream of playing in midnight green continues, but his focus is with his brother—hoping for healing, standing by his side, and finding strength through unimaginable loss.