FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The shadow of the season-long suspension trailed Colorado State linebacker Ricky Brewer.
Everywhere he went he encountered people who knew he was forced to sit out his junior season, but only a few realized why.
The secret was eating at him.
So, Brewer decided to let people in on the reason, speaking candidly this summer about testing positive for marijuana at the 2008 New Mexico Bowl.
A one-time mistake, he asserted, that cost him a steep price—a year of football.
He’s determined not to let it derail his athletic career, and said his admission has proven to be quite cathartic, lifting a weight off his shoulders.
The suspension over with, Brewer is trying to return to the form that made him one of the standout linebackers in the Mountain West Conference in 2008.
“This season is part of a resurrection for me,” Brewer said. “I didn’t want to bring any of that baggage along with me. Any speculation. That’s what it was. I just wanted to come out and tell about it.”
His next mission is this: Regaining his teammates’ trust. Brewer wasn’t able to pitch in last season when the Rams fell into a funk and lost nine straight games to close out the year.
Sure, he attended every practice as he suited up with the scout team. But he couldn’t contribute on Saturdays.
That gnawed at him.
Brewer got to the point where he couldn’t even bring himself to watch the CSU games on television. Instead, he lifted weights, figuring the only way he could make things right again with his teammates was by becoming a stronger player for the upcoming season.
That became his quest.
“There was a lot of trust that had to be regained,” said Brewer, who grew up in Denver. “Hopefully, I’ve earned most of it back.”
He’s well on his way: The Rams voted him a team captain this season. As far as his team is concerned, the past shall remain just that—the past.
“Ricky paid a big price for a big mistake. But he responded in a positive way for himself personally and for the team. Having him back has been tremendous,” defensive coordinator-linebackers coach Larry Kerr said. “He is a player that other players gravitate to. He has that natural leadership and he’s a factor on the field.”
Once again, fellow linebacker Mychal Sisson has his partner back to patrol the middle of the field. The two were quite a tandem in 2008, combining for 209 tackles. In a game at Wyoming that season, they each had games to remember, Sisson turning in a career-high 14 tackles and Brewer tying a personal best with 15.
“It was sad he wasn’t with us last year,” said Sisson, who’s from Duncanville, Texas. “But he’s come out and worked hard, showed everybody that this is what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. His work ethic proved to us that he deserved to be out here with us again.”
Brewer had a breakout sophomore season as he led the Rams in tackles per game, culminating with a 10-tackle performance during a win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl.
Later, he learned he had flunked his drug test.
Even more difficult was informing those close to him exactly why he had to sit out the following season.
“I remember the drive home to let my family know that I wouldn’t be playing in the 2009 season. That was a tough situation,” said Brewer, who admitted that he’s been regularly tested and is talking to kids about his ordeal. “No one expected that I would be the one to get suspended for using a banned substance. I placed myself in a position and I needed to understand what I do would reflect on my program and on my family.”
For everyone else, the explanation was simply that he violated team rules.
The Rams began the 2009 season by reeling off three straight wins, including a 23-17 victory over rival Colorado at Boulder in the opener.
Then, the season took an unfriendly twist with Brewer only able to contribute on the scout team.
It just motivated him even more.
“I didn’t miss a single meeting. I didn’t miss a single practice,” Brewer said. “They kept me on board. They could easily have said you’re out of here. I’m happy to give the coaching staff a bunch of respect for keeping me on board.”
On a sun-drenched afternoon, Brewer sauntered into a deserted stadium this week wearing his Rams jersey again, a big grin on his face.
Sure, this was only picture day. But it was a brief glimpse of moments to come.
“It was definitely a long year,” Brewer said. “Fortunately for me, there was always light at the end of the tunnel. Most guys across the country, stuff like that happens on their senior year and they’re done. My suspension happened where I had another year left. It gave me something to work for.
“I’m happy about the way the coaches and team welcomed me back. A guy couldn’t be more excited than I am, that’s for sure.”
