Former NFL center Mitch Morse announced the heartbreaking death of his younger brother in an emotional social media post on Monday.
The former Buffalo Bills star’s brother, Robbie, passed away at the age of 30 after facing a lifetime of struggles.
‘Last week, we lost my brother Robbie at the age of 30,’ Morse, 34, said in an Instagram post. ‘Robbie’s life was unique, and at times incredibly difficult. But through all of it, he was surrounded by family and friends who loved him profoundly.’
He added: ‘As we grieve the loss of a son, a brother, and someone who has been a part of our lives for the last three decades, we also find peace in knowing that the physical shackles of this life no longer hold him. Robbie is free. He is whole. And he is home with our Lord. We love you, Robbo. Rest easy, buddy.’
Robbie suffered a severe brain trauma when he was just four months old while in the care of a babysitter.
It was ruled that Robbie had suffered a bilateral subdural hematoma, a dangerous medical condition where a collection of blood forms on both the left and right sides of the brain.
Former NFL center Mitch Morse announced the heartbreaking death of his younger brother
The former Bills star’s brother, Robbie, suffered brain trauma when he was four months old
The injury was consistent with infants who have been severely shaken. The then-20-year-old babysitter admitted to police that she had shaken baby Robbie when he would not stop crying.
The incident left Robbie with serious intellectual and physical disabilities for the remainder of his life.
The babysitter ultimately reached a plea deal and did not serve any prison time.
‘There’s never been a moment that we’ve thought about any kind of retribution. Not one moment,’ Mitch and Robbie’s father, Kevin, told The Buffalo News in 2019.
‘Every friend of mine would have told you, ‘Well, I thought he would go over there and kill her. Literally.’ But [that feeling] never came out, it just went away. This was just about Robbie and Mitch, and that was a complete waste of emotion. It was time to focus, and that’s what we did.’
Kevin added, ‘Every once in a while, we think of her. But all you feel is kind of pity and sadness. But I also think maybe it kept her from ever shaking her own children. I have no idea if she had kids of her own, but hopefully she did and I guarantee you she would never shake another child.’
Morse frequently spoke about his bond with his brother throughout his career, supporting the Bills’ efforts to support the special needs community.
‘There were some really tough days that molded us as people, molded us as a family, brought us tighter together,’ he told The Buffalo News in 2019. ‘And absolutely, there was no chance in hell I was going to be an extra burden on my family. That was the last thing I wanted to do.’
Morse played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs, Bills and Jaguars
The former center is pictured with his wife Caitlin and their two children, Kennedy and Deacon
The Buffalo Bills shared their support, replying to Morse’s post on Instagram. The team wrote: ‘Sending love to you and your family.’
NFL quarterback and Morse’s former Bills teammate Mitch Trubisky shared: ‘Sending love and prayers your way brother!’
‘Continuing to pray for you and your family brother,’ former Bills center Eric Wood posted.
‘Sorry for your loss brother, Prayers to you and your family,’ former NFL linebacker Jay March added.
‘Sending love to your family,’ the Jacksonville Jaguars posted.
Morse played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. He announced his retirement in March 2025.
