Larry C. Brewer
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Larry Clinton Brewer (November 22, 1948 - May 23, 2003) 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 himself was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons but dropped out 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 was born in Minden to Henry Clinton "Clint" Brewer (born ca. 1920), who served as the Webster Parish registrar of voters, and the former Helen Lockhart (born ca. 1924). Brewer played successfully for Minden High School, from which he graduated on May 24, 1966. Brewer 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. He subsequently later left cocahing 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; three children, Blake, Marcus, and Natalie Brewer, and a brother, Gary Brewer (born 1951) and his wife, Pam, and their three children, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
One of Brewer's first cousins, 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 his career also ended because of an injury. He and his wife, the former Cynthia "Cindy" Williams (born 1947), reside in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, Tennessee.
[edit] References
MindenMemories.net
Louisiana Tech Lagniappe, 1970, pp. 388-395
"Tech Gridders Feted", Ruston Daily Leader, January 21, 1970
"Brewer obtained by Atlanta; Spinks to Minnesota", Ruston Daily Leader, January 29, 1970
Ruston Daily Leader", August 6, 1970
Minden Press-Herald, May 23, 1972
"Larry Brewer obituary", Minden Press-Herald, May 26, 2003:http://www.genealogybuff.com/la/la-webster-obits5.htm
"Tech wide receiver Tommy Spinks, who caught passes from Terry Bradshaw, dies at 58, USA Today, August 28, 2007://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2007-08-27-294093838_x.htm
