Mel Brewer

Melvin Clay Brewer (October 5, 1918 – October 26, 1977) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Illinois where he was selected as a second-team All-American in 1939.

Mel Brewer
From the Illio, 1940
Biographical details
Born(1918-10-05)October 5, 1918
Carbondale, Illinois, U.S.
DiedOctober 27, 1977(1977-10-27) (aged 59)
Carbondale, Illinois, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1937–1939Illinois
Position(s)Guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1940Wabash (line)
1941DePauw (backfield)
1944–1946Illinois Wesleyan
1947Illinois (freshmen)
Basketball
1944–1945Illinois Wesleyan
Baseball
1941Wabash
Head coaching record
Overall12–10 (football)
8–8 (basketball)
7–7 (baseball)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Second-team All-American (1939)

Brewer grew up in Carbondale, Illinois, where he was a star athlete in both basketball and football.[1] After graduating high school in 1936, Brewer enrolled at the University of Illinois where he played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 1937 to 1939. He was the captain of Illinois' 1939 football team,[1] and he was selected by the United Press as a second-team guard on the 1939 College Football All-America Team.[2]

In December 1939, Brewer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1940 NFL Draft (139th pick).[3][4] Instead of playing professional football, Brewer accepted a position as the head baseball coach and assistant football coach (line coach) at Wabash College during the 1940–41 academic year. In May 1941, he was classified as unfit for military service due to a silver plate that had been inserted in one knee after a football injury during his sophomore year.[5] He was the backfield coach at DePauw University during the 1941 football season.[1]

In 1942, Brewer enlisted in the United States Navy but was discharged due to his recurring knee injury.[1] During the 1943–44 academic year, he returned to the University of Illinois as a staff member in the school of physical education.[1] He next served as the head football coach at Illinois Wesleyan University from 1944 to 1946, compiling a record of 12–10.[6] In 1947, Brewer returned to the University of Illinois as the freshman football coach.[1]

References
  1. "New Football Coaches Hired for 1947: Brewer Heads Frosh Squad". Daily Ilini. October 2, 1947.
  2. "U.P. Team Lists Kinnick As Best". Brainerd Daily Dispatch. November 29, 1939.
  3. "1940 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  4. "Green Bay Drafts Brewer, Reeder". Daily Illini. December 10, 1939.
  5. "Mel Brewer Unfit for Military Service". Daily Illini. May 8, 1941.
  6. Illinois Wesleyan All-Time Football Scores.
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