[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF HOMER E. (BILLY) BREWER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 
life of former high school and college head football coach Homer E. 
(Billy) Brewer, who died on May 12, 2018, in Memphis, Tennessee. Coach 
Brewer served as head football coach throughout his long and 
distinguished career, leading young men to excel on the football field 
for 34 years. He was a true leader both on and off the field, earning 
the respect and admiration of many.
  Coach Brewer, a native of Columbus, Mississippi, played football for 
Lee High School. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the 
University of Mississippi, where he played defensive back for the Ole 
Miss Rebels. Following graduation from the University of Mississippi, 
Coach Brewer began coaching football at Lee High School. He coached ten 
successful seasons which included multiple Big Eight Conference 
championships.
  It was during his time as head coach for Lee High School that Coach 
Brewer chose Robert Youngblood to be an assistant coach for the 
football team. Mr. Youngblood assisted Coach Brewer on the field in the 
years to follow at Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana Tech 
University, and the University of Mississippi. Mr. Youngblood said the 
two became close friends and were loyal to each other. ``He would let 
you coach,'' Mr. Youngblood said. ``He was a good person to work for 
and to work with. We became more than acquaintances. We became 
friends.''
  It was important to Coach Brewer to build and maintain relationships 
with his players which enhanced their performance on the football 
field. ``One of his strong suits was Coach Brewer's ability to 
identify, motivate, and be a player's coach,'' Mr. Youngblood said. 
``The players respected him and played hard for him.'' While serving as 
head coach for the Ole Miss Rebels, the team had 67 wins which placed 
him as the second most winningest coach in school history. Current Ole 
Miss Head Coach Matt Luke issued a statement to the Associated Press 
following Coach Brewer's passing. ``He was greatly admired by his 
players and his teammates,'' Coach Luke said. ``He will forever be 
engrained in the history of Rebel Football.''
  Brett Brewer, Coach Brewer's son, said his father's accomplishments 
were more than his record. ``He taught life lessons to the young men he 
coached,'' Brewer said. ``His legacy is within them--not just the wins 
and the losses.'' Brewer said his dad loved coaching, but above all, he 
loved people.
  Coach Brewer was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Kay 
Gunter Brewer; and his two brothers, Bobby Brewer and Richard Brewer. 
He is survived by his sons, Brett Brewer and Gunter Brewer; and his 
five grandchildren, Keaton, Blaine, Lauren, Bailey, and Brogan Brewer.
  Coach Brewer served as an inspiration to many people from all walks 
of life. He will always be remembered as a man who possessed a 
determined spirit to achieve excellence.

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