Brewster overcomes tragedy, pursues NFL dream for son

INDIANAPOLIS - When Ball State offensive tackle Robert Brewster says, "I don't take life for granted, and I just try to live every second because you never know when it's going to be over," it's easy to dismiss it as just another cliché - unless you know about the cruel hand he has been dealt.

It's difficult to fathom how the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Brewster managed to start every game of his Cardinals career.

"I take a lot of pride in that I never missed one single game throughout my whole college career," Brewster said. "I started as a true freshman and played all 50 games. I was lucky enough to stay healthy and be able to start every one."

Brewster didn't just start every game, he played every snap.

Every play of every game?

"Yes, sir," Brewster said during his media interview session at the Scouting Combine, where he was one of 333 draft-eligible college players working out for NFL teams.

Never came off the field?

"No, sir," he said.

A lot more than his consecutive-game streak was put in jeopardy early in the 2008 season when his son, Jalen Robert, was born Oct. 2. Three days later, the mother of his child, Brewster's high school sweetheart Kirsten Reynolds, died from complications during the birth.

"For the first two weeks my play went down," Brewster said. "But I was able to get focused thanks to (head) coach (Brady) Hoke being there for me. Going into his office, and him talking to me every day, he got me back focused and knowing that if I didn't improve, I wouldn't have the chance that I do now."

Football served as a diversion and a release for Brewster, an escape from reality, an excuse not to think about the unthinkable.

In public, Brewster's attitude is upbeat, his outlook amazingly positive. But it's not because he has moved past the heartbreak of his loss.

"I really haven't gotten over it," he said. "The biggest thing that keeps me going is knowing there's really nothing I can do.

"But I do know if I sit at home and sulk about it and don't stay focused on what I need to do, then I wouldn't have this opportunity that I do now, and I won't perform well like I'm doing now.

"I just feel like I have to do it for my son. I have to be strong for my son. This situation really helped me become a better man and helped me stay really focused on what I needed to do."

Brewster's parents - Robert and Delaney, who live in Cincinnati - help care for his son, as do Kirsten's grandparents, who live in Indianapolis, minutes from Lucas Oil Stadium where he's auditioning for NFL teams.

"I have a lot of support behind me," he said. "As long as I know that he's taken care of, that's why I'm able to stay focused here. Without my family, I wouldn't be anywhere, so I give all my thanks to them."

Brewster came to Indianapolis as a probable fifth- or sixth-round pick, but he hopes impressive workouts will boost him on some team's draft board.

He has been training for the specific combine tests of speed, quickness, agility and strength since the first of the year with Mount Prospect's David Buchanan at Pro Sport Performance. Buchanan marvels at Brewster's ability to focus in the aftermath of his loss.

"The biggest thing is he realizes he's a father, and it's his job to provide for his child," Buchanan said. "He has an opportunity to provide for his son - not just now, but for a lifetime."

Still, Brewster can't wait to get through the several days of jumping, sprinting, shuttling, drilling, poking, prodding, testing and interviewing that make up the combine. He can't wait to see his son again.

"It's great sitting at home with him just to see his smile," Brewster said. "He's a very happy child. He doesn't cry a lot no matter who he's with. He's always just smiling and making faces.

"He's so big. He weighed 16 pounds at 4 months. He's already growing out of his clothes. He's my pride and joy, and that's why I'm doing all this, so he can have a great life when he grows up."