From Africa to Dallas, Little League to Pro
March 3, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Allen Wranglers News Release
Wonseleh Brewer is playing his first year of professional football with the Allen Wranglers. No stranger to football, Brewer has been playing since his family moved to the United States when he was only 5.
Brewer was born in Monrovia, Liberia in West Africa. He says he doesn't remember much about life in Africa because he was so young. Brewer's earliest memory comes from the house his dad built and the others houses in the area; he remembers playing with other children in the courtyard there. The family left the country because of the civil war being fought in Liberia.
"My mom thought it was going to be gold on the ground when we got off the plane," Brewer said laughing.
The family moved to Dallas, Brewer attended Sam Houston Elementary. Brewer said living in the projects was hard, but football was there to help him rise above that lifestyle.
"My upbringing was both bad and good," he said. "Even though my family came from poverty, I was blessed to have people in my life to turn me on to sports and keep me off the streets."
As a kid, Brewer spent a lot of time at the Boys and Girls Club near his home.
"The only thing that kept me from doing what the other kids were doing was the Boys and Girls Club," he said. "I played football there."
A friend of his played little league football in Plano and told him about the team. Brewer's mom didn't have the money to put her children in little league, but the coach liked Brewer so much that he paid for his spot on the roster.
"Coach had us up there most of the time to keep us off the streets," he said. "I still talk to him to this day."
Competing is what drew Brewer into the sport. He played at Richardson High school before college careers at both Blinn College and Sam Houston State University. He has experience at quarterback, receiver and running back; his favorite, and current, position to play is cornerback.
"I just like competing, especially at my position," he said. "You're out there by yourself, just you and one other guy."
Brewer's dad was a member of the Liberian national soccer team, Lonestar, while the family was in Africa. His career was cut short due to the move, but Brewer remembers his dad telling stories about his soccer playing days.
His father, skeptical about football at first, has always supported Brewer in his football career. Brewer said he learned how to be an athlete from his father.
"He raised us like that, to never give up," Brewer said. "That just carried into football." Brewer says he is proud of where he came from and is excited about the Allen Wranglers' season. He added that his upbringing made him appreciate things a lot more, like the chance to play professional indoor football.
Brewer and the Wranglers will travel to Oklahoma City Sunday, March 6th to face the Bricktown Brawlers. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.
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Indoor Football League Stories from March 3, 2011
- Venom Sign Veteran Quarterback - Amarillo Venom
- From Africa to Dallas, Little League to Pro - Allen Wranglers
- Venom Bring in Crowley to Strengthen Offensive Line - Amarillo Venom
- Game Preview: Reading Express at Chicago Slaughter - Reading Express
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