Former MSU All-American safety Allen Brenner died on Feb. 13, in Clinton, N.C., after battling an extended illness. He was 64.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and two-time Academic All-American, Brenner was an essential two-way player from 1966-68, while playing wide receiver and safety for head coach Duffy Daugherty.
Brenner was one of only two sophomores to start on MSU’s 1966 National Championship team that finished the season 9-0-1, and he was awarded the game ball for his performance in the 1966 National Championship game against Notre Dame.
Playing on a team that included MSU greats Charles “Bubba” Smith and Gene Washington, Brenner finished his career as the program’s second-leading receiver with 73 receptions and 1,232 receiving yards.
Following his career at MSU, Brenner was selected in the seventh round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Brenner spent two seasons with the Giants and seven seasons in the Canadian Football League with three different teams, winning two Grey Cup Championships (Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 1972, Ottawa Rough Riders, 1976).
According to a release from the athletics department, a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Berrien Center, Mich.
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