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Former NFL center Mitch Morse announced the death of his brother, Robbie, in an emotional social media post.
“Last week, we lost my brother Robbie at the age of 30,” Mitch, 34, shared via Instagram on Monday, October 4. “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.”
Robbie suffered severe brain trauma while in the care of a babysitter when he was four months old. Mitch was four years old at the time. The tragic incident in 1996 left Robbie with serious intellectual and physical disabilities for the duration of his life.
“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,” Mitch continued. “Robbie is free. He is whole. And he is home with our Lord.”
The NFL star concluded, “We love you, Robbo. Rest easy, buddy.”
Mitch played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. He announced his retirement in March 2025.
“Sending love to you and your family. ❤️💙,” the Bills commented on Mitch’s post.
Former Bills quarterback Mitch Trubisky — who now plays for the Tennessee Titans — wrote, “Sending love and prayers your way brother! 🙏🙏❤️❤️.”
“Love you brother. Prayers to your family. I know you were the best big brother. 🕊️,” commented former NFL center Justin Britt, who played with Mitch at the University of Missouri.
Growing up, Mitch learned quickly that Robbie’s needs often superseded his out of necessity.
“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.”
It was determined that Robbie suffered a bilateral subdural hematoma, consistent with a baby who had been severely shaken. The babysitter, who was roughly 20 years old, later confessed to police that she had shaken Robbie when he would not stop crying.
“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.”
The babysitter ultimately reached a plea deal and did not serve any prison time.
