A
change of uniforms is working out just fine for Willie McClung of
the Browns and Barrel (Pete) Brewster of the Pittsburgh Steelers,
opponents in today's game at the Stadium.
The
two gridders, both happy-go-lucky, easy going fellows off the field
and fierce competitors under fire, faced each other on this same turf
two years ago. Then, however, McClung was in his third pro year as
a Pittsburgh lineman and Brewster was on the way to his third consecutive
season as the Browns' leading pass receiver.
Last
year, McClung and Brewster were Cleveland teammates in the game with
the Steelers here. So go the twisting paths of pro football careers.
The Browns obtained smiling Willie in a deal for halfback Billy Reynolds
a year ago September near the close of the exhibition schedule. McClung
quickly became avaluable addition and filled in at offensive right
tackle when Mike McCormack was forced out for a number of weeks with
a knee injury.
Later
in the year, McClung moved into Bob Gain's defensive left tackle post
when a broken leg suffered by Bill Quinlan forced Gain to be shifted
to left end. Willie seemed to beat his best on defense and when plans
were charted for this season Gain and McClung were made fixtures on
the left side of the remodelled line.
And
with the acquisition of Sid Youngelman, a free agent tackle, and the
return to good health of end Paul Wiggin the Browns have come up with
one of the most sturdy defensive walls in the entire National Football
League.
Brewster,
who went to Purdue on a basketball scholarship, was originally the
number one draft choice of the Chicago Cardinals. He became Cleveland
property through a deal before the start of training in 1952 and saw
limited service at both defensive and offensive end that first year.
Pete became a regular pass catcher in '53, however, and went on to
hang up seven-year totals of 186 catches for 3,327 yards and 19 touchdowns
for the Browns.
The
tall end never had exceptional speed, but he more than made up for
that with good moves and sure hands. It was against these same Steelers
in last year's second game at Pittsburgh that Brewster suffered a
double fracture of the right cheekbone which required an operation
the following day. He had caught an eight-yard scoring pass in that
game and two weeks later was back in action for the return match with
Pittsburgh here.
Pete
announced his retirement last spring, air though he still had only
his 29th birthday in front of him. He went into the sporting goods
business in his adopted home town of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and was
making plans to build a third store when Steelers Coach Buddy Parker
sent an SOS.
Parker,
desperate for receivers after a rash of injuries in early exhibition
games, had been given the green light on negotiating from Paul Brown,
who still retained playing rights to Brewster. Pete was given an offer
"I couldn't turn down" and whipped himself into shape in
time for the season opener against Cleveland in Pittsburgh eight weeks
ago.
All
he did that night was grab a 42-yard pass to set up a field goal and
later take a 21-yarder in the end zone as Pittsburgh wiped out a 7-0
half time deficit and won, 17-7. So today it's McClung vs. Brewster
and Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh once again. And the Browns are hoping
it's their turn at the wheel of fortune.
