Larry C. Brewer
Encyclopedia
Larry Clinton Brewer was the offensive end for the Louisiana Tech University
Bulldogs during the 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 football
seasons. In the latter two years, he served primarily as one of two main receivers for Terry Bradshaw
, the Shreveport
native who subsequently embarked on a highly successful career with the Pittsburgh Steelers
. Brewer caught the first college touchdown pass thrown by Bradshaw. Brewer was initially given a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons
, but he left the team after sustaining an injury at the training camp in Johnson City, Tennessee
.
In 1969, Brewer was among five members of the Louisiana Tech football team selected for All-Gulf State Conference honors by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. The others were Bradshaw, split end Thomas Allen "Tommy" Spinks
(1948-2007) of Shreveport and later Arlington, Texas
, offensive tackle Wayne Williams, Jr. (later the Webster Parish school superintendent), and defensive back
Mark Graham. Brewer and Spinks were recorded among the top pass receivers in Louisiana Tech history. Seven other Tech players were cited for "honorable mention" by the same sports writers, who also selected Tech coach
Maxie Lambright
(1924-1980) as the GSC "Coach of the Year".
Brewer played in four post-season classics, including two Grantland Rice Bowl
s, the North-South Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl
in Mobile
, Alabama
. He was voted Minden's "Outstanding Advertiser" a month before "Larry Brewer Day" was observed in his hometown on May 14, 1970.Minden Press-Herald, April 16, 1970, p. 1
Brewer was born in Minden
to Henry Clinton "Clint" Brewer (1920-2008) and Helen L. Brewer (born 1924). The senior Brewer graduated from Doyline High School in Doyline
in south Webster Parish, attended Methodist-affiliated Centenary College
in Shreveport
, compiled a distinguished military record in World War II
, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
in the Louisiana National Guard
, and served as the Webster Parish registrar of voters until his retirement in 1985. Larry Brewer played successfully for Minden High School
, from which he graduated on May 24, 1966. He procured his bachelor's degree from Tech, located in Ruston
, the seat of Lincoln Parish, and then coached football at several private schools including Trinity Heights Academy in Shreveport and Sam Barthe High School in Metairie
in Jefferson Parish. Brewer also taught junior high school science at Barthe. He subsequently left coaching and received a master of science
degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe
in Ouachita Parish and thereafter passed the Certified Public Accountant
examination. He was a hospital administrator in Ruston, Shreveport, and later for the Hillcrest Health Group in Tulsa
, Oklahoma
.
Brewer drowned while on a family vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii
. He is interred in Sand Springs
near Tulsa. In addition to his parents, he was survived by his wife, the former Toni Milam, who thereafter moved to Allen
in Collin County
, Texas
; three children, Blake, Marcus, and Natalie Brewer, and a brother, Gary Loftin Brewer (born 1951) and his wife, Pam, and their three children, of the resort
city of Glenwood Springs
, Colorado
. He was Methodist.
One of Brewer's first cousin
s, Michael L. "Mike" Brewer (born 1946), was also a highly talented athlete: All-State in baseball for all four high school years, All-State in football, and All-State in track at Minden High School. Mike Brewer signed a football scholarship with Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge, but like his cousin, his career ended because of an injury. He and his wife, the former Cynthia "Cindy" Williams (born 1947), reside in the Memphis
suburb
of Collierville
, Tennessee
.
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings...
Bulldogs during the 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
seasons. In the latter two years, he served primarily as one of two main receivers for Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
, the Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
native who subsequently embarked on a highly successful career with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. Brewer caught the first college touchdown pass thrown by Bradshaw. Brewer was initially given a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but he left the team after sustaining an injury at the training camp in Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
.
In 1969, Brewer was among five members of the Louisiana Tech football team selected for All-Gulf State Conference honors by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. The others were Bradshaw, split end Thomas Allen "Tommy" Spinks
Tommy Spinks
Thomas Allen "Tommy" Spinks was an American football wide receiver for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs who played from 1966—1969. A native of Shreveport, Spinks and Larry C...
(1948-2007) of Shreveport and later Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
, offensive tackle Wayne Williams, Jr. (later the Webster Parish school superintendent), and defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
Mark Graham. Brewer and Spinks were recorded among the top pass receivers in Louisiana Tech history. Seven other Tech players were cited for "honorable mention" by the same sports writers, who also selected Tech coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Maxie Lambright
Maxie Lambright
-References:...
(1924-1980) as the GSC "Coach of the Year".
Brewer played in four post-season classics, including two Grantland Rice Bowl
Grantland Rice Bowl
The Grantland Rice Bowl was an annual college football bowl game, one of four regional NCAA college division championships from 1964 to 1972. It was the Mideast Regional championship, played in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from 1964 to 1968...
s, the North-South Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
in Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. He was voted Minden's "Outstanding Advertiser" a month before "Larry Brewer Day" was observed in his hometown on May 14, 1970.Minden Press-Herald, April 16, 1970, p. 1
Minden, Louisiana
Minden is a city in the American state of Louisiana. It serves as the parish seat of Webster Parish and is located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport, the seat of Caddo Parish. The population, which has been stable since 1960, was 13,027 at the 2000 census...
to Henry Clinton "Clint" Brewer (1920-2008) and Helen L. Brewer (born 1924). The senior Brewer graduated from Doyline High School in Doyline
Doyline, Louisiana
Doyline is a village in southwestern Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 841 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Minden Micropolitan Statistical Area....
in south Webster Parish, attended Methodist-affiliated Centenary College
Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana is a primarily undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences college in Shreveport, Louisiana. The college is one of the founding members of the Associated Colleges of the South, a pedagogical organization consisting of sixteen Southern liberal arts colleges...
in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, compiled a distinguished military record in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the Louisiana National Guard
Louisiana National Guard
The Louisiana National Guard consists of the:*Louisiana Army National Guard** includes the U.S. 256th Infantry Brigade*Louisiana Air National Guard-External links:*** compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History...
, and served as the Webster Parish registrar of voters until his retirement in 1985. Larry Brewer played successfully for Minden High School
Minden High School (Minden, Louisiana)
Minden High School is the public secondary educational institution in Minden, a small city of 13,000 and the seat of Webster Parish located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport in northwestern Louisiana...
, from which he graduated on May 24, 1966. He procured his bachelor's degree from Tech, located in Ruston
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
, the seat of Lincoln Parish, and then coached football at several private schools including Trinity Heights Academy in Shreveport and Sam Barthe High School in Metairie
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
in Jefferson Parish. Brewer also taught junior high school science at Barthe. He subsequently left coaching and received a master of science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana and part of the University of Louisiana System.-History:...
in Ouachita Parish and thereafter passed the Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
examination. He was a hospital administrator in Ruston, Shreveport, and later for the Hillcrest Health Group in Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Brewer drowned while on a family vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. He is interred in Sand Springs
Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Sand Springs is a city in Osage and Tulsa counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A suburb of Tulsa, it is located predominantly in Tulsa County. The population was 18,906 in the 2010 U. S. Census, compared to 17,451 at the 2000 census. The city was founded in 1911, by Oklahoma philanthropist...
near Tulsa. In addition to his parents, he was survived by his wife, the former Toni Milam, who thereafter moved to Allen
Allen, Texas
Allen is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States, a northern suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 census the city had a total population of 84,246.-Geography:According to the City of Allen, the city has a total area of...
in Collin County
Collin County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 491,675 people, 181,970 households, and 132,292 families residing in the county. The population density was 580 people per square mile . There were 194,892 housing units at an average density of 230 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
; three children, Blake, Marcus, and Natalie Brewer, and a brother, Gary Loftin Brewer (born 1951) and his wife, Pam, and their three children, of the resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
city of Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
The City of Glenwood Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 8,564 in 2005...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. He was Methodist.
One of Brewer's first cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
s, Michael L. "Mike" Brewer (born 1946), was also a highly talented athlete: All-State in baseball for all four high school years, All-State in football, and All-State in track at Minden High School. Mike Brewer signed a football scholarship with Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge, but like his cousin, his career ended because of an injury. He and his wife, the former Cynthia "Cindy" Williams (born 1947), reside in the Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Collierville
Collierville, Tennessee
Collierville is a town in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and a suburb located in the Memphis metropolitan area. The town had a population of 43,965 at the 2010 census....
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
.