Jim Brashier (1985) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Jim Brashier

Induction:
1985

Jim Brashier was a bruising and hard running halfback for the Southern Miss teams of 1951 through 1953, who also made a name for himself on the other side of the ball with his never say die attitude and ability to play full out from the opening gun to the final horn.
   At 6-foot and 171-pounds Brashier joined the Golden Eagles after a stint in the United States Army, where he had played football at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
   Although he came to Southern Miss at a time when the Golden Eagles had a multitude of outstanding backs, Brashier quickly made a name for himself and pushed for playing time.
   Brashier earned a reputation early in his career as a team player. As a player who wasn’t interested in personal glory or personal stats, but more interested in doing whatever he needed to do to help the team win. And win is exactly what Southern Miss did during his three-year career, with a record of 25-9, a conference championship and two bowl appearances.
   On the 1951 Gulf States Conference Championship team, most of that action would come on the defensive side and on the special teams. He finished second on the team with four interceptions his first year and returned them 79 yards and for one touchdown. Offensively he earned only five carries for 13 yards (2.6 average) and returned six punts for a 6.1-yard average.
   In 1952 Brashier would again see the majority of his time at defensive halfback and was one of the leaders of that unit that would record two shutouts. Brashier had two interceptions for 22 yards and returned six punts for 21 yards. That team advanced to post-season play where they met The College of the Pacific in the Sun Bowl posting a 10-2 final record.
   In 1953 after two seasons playing primarily with the defense, Brashier got his first real crack at offensive duty. Hugh Laurin Pepper and Bucky McElroy were handling most of the ball carrying that fall, but Brashier managed 52 carries for 144 yards (2.7 average). He also showed his abilities as a receiver catching five passes that season for 97 yards (19.4 average). He was also utilized again as a kick returner and played as a regular on defense again. The team was 9-2 that year and again played in the Sun Bowl, this time against Texas-El Paso.
   Although Brashier career statistics may not compare to some of the great Southern Miss running backs, there is no doubt that he was a player who gave his all to the team. He quickly and quietly found his niche on those Southern Miss teams of the early 1950s and found a way to make a contribution. It was the type of effort that today symbolizes Golden Eagle football.