Lloyd Brazil

[1] He was a star athlete at Flint Central High School where he won ten varsity letters – four in football and three each in basketball and baseball.

[2] In two of his seasons at Flint Central, the school won the state football title, and "Brazil's stellar work played a major part in his team's successes.

"[3] After graduating from Flint Central in 1925, Brazil enrolled at the University of Detroit where Notre Dame's All-American quarterback Gus Dorais had taken over as head football coach.

[4] During Brazil's time with the team, Detroit compiled a 19-game winning streak that stands unmatched in school history.

"[2] Dorais later said, "As far as I'm concerned, there were only three great collegiate backs in my lifetime – Jim Thorpe, George Gipp and Lloyd Brazil.

"[8] In the 1940s, veteran Detroit sports columnist Watson Spoelstra wrote, "Brazil is one of the super athletes with a place among the best in Michigan history.

"[1] An Associated Press profile of Brazil published in 1961 called him "the ideal football player," noting, "He had all the qualities necessary for success — speed, intelligence, desire and the instinct for doing the right thing at the right time.

An earlier profile of Brazil published by the Associated Press in 1928 focused on his diverse talents:"'Braz,' as he's known to followers of the Tiger aggregation, is one of those triple threat fellows—a runner, passer and kicker.

He can shift like a flash either way, sidestep onrushing tacklers with the best and uses the straight arm with telling effect.

[10] After graduating in 1930, Brazil declined an offer to play professional baseball and instead accepted a position as Dorais’ assistant at the University of Detroit.

[11] Brazil was promoted to athletic director in 1943 when Dorais stepped down to take over as head coach of the Detroit Lions.

[6] In April 1960, Brazil decided to start the baseball season as scheduled despite "Decemberish weather" with snow "falling in mushy blobs.

"[14] When the game was called after two-and-a-half hours and seven innings, Detroit's pitcher, Gary Mettie, had pitched a no-hitter.