John Brewer (April 6, 1906 – May 2, 1980) was an American football player who competed in the early professional era of the sport. He played as a guard and halfback for the Dayton Triangles of the American Professional Football Association (APFA) during the 1929 season and attended Georgia Tech, where he played collegiate football.
Early life and education
John Mills Brewer was born in Griffin, Georgia, United States, on April 6, 1906. He attended Griffin High School, where he began playing football before enrolling at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).
College career
Brewer played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. While detailed records of his collegiate performance are limited, he was part of the program during a period when Georgia Tech fielded competitive teams in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Professional career
In 1929, Brewer joined the Dayton Triangles, a franchise that competed in the APFA—the precursor to the modern National Football League (NFL). He appeared in the 1929 season, wearing number 17 and playing primarily at guard and halfback. The Triangles finished the season with a 0–6 record, and Brewer's professional tenure was confined to that single season. Official statistical records from the era are sparse; however, his participation is documented in contemporary team rosters and league archives.
Later life and death
After his brief professional football career, Brewer returned to civilian life. He resided in New Port Richey, Florida, where he died on May 2, 1980, at the age of 74.
Legacy
John Brewer is remembered as part of the early generation of players who helped lay the groundwork for professional American football. His involvement with both a prominent college program and an APFA team places him among the athletes who transitioned the sport from collegiate dominance to a structured professional league.