The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with Brad Shearer
04.09.2002 | Football
Recently, Mack Brown-TexasFootball.com had the opportunity to catch up with former UT defensive tackle Brad Shearer (1974-77). Shearer had a senior year to remember in 1977 when he was named a first-team All-American and the Longhorns' third recipient of the Outland Trophy (nation's outstanding interior lineman). That season, he led the team with 27 QB pressures and four forced fumbles, was second on the squad with 109 tackles and registered seven sacks. The Austin native also helped lead the Longhorns to an 11-1 record, the Southwest Conference (SWC) Championship and a final No. 4 national ranking that season. The two-time All-SWC Conference selection (1975, '77) finished his career with 334 tackles (No. 9 on UT's all-time list) and 11 fumbles caused (T-No. 3 on UT's career chart). These days, Shearer resides in Austin, runs his own business and is actively involved in all of UT's former letterwinners activities throughout the year.
Can you give us an update of what you're doing these days? Well, I'm involved in my real estate company. It's a brokerage company and I basically run it all. I also have an erosion control company. We're an environmental control company for different construction companies here in town.
What does the annual Letterwinner's Roundup mean to former players such as yourself? When Coach Brown came here and started this deal, it was the best thing that ever happened to Texas football. I think Coach Brown is one of the best coaches around and we're all proud of the success he's having. He has brought so much excitement to Texas football by selling the stadium out every week and bringing the type of players to the program. This is one of the most exciting times in Texas football ever. Coach Brown bringing our family together at this golf tournament is pretty incredible.
What are some of your memories from your playing days? My fondest memory is when we were playing OU my senior year. We were beating them 13-6 and they drove down to our 4-yard-line and had a fourth-and-one play from there. Their quarterback pulled out and took off to the left and I was playing left two technique. I just scooted down the line with him, and when he cut it up, I hit him low and Johnnie Johnson hit him high to stop him. If he would've taken outside, he probably would have scored. Right after that, (Russell) Erxleben punted it 80 yards and we ended up winning the game. I hadn't ever beaten OU because we tied the year before and lost to them by three points two years before that. In my four years at Texas, they won two National Championships. I would say that was my most memorable play as a Longhorn.
Why is Texas football such a special fraternity? The University of Texas is just an incredibly institution. The reason it is so great is because of the people. The people here care. People that come to play at Texas want to be here. I think that's the big difference.
Can you talk about the pride of being a Longhorns football player? The pride comes from the guys before you. I don't know where the first guys got theirs from, but the tradition is where it is at. UT has won three National Championships and has done so with many great players. It's the guys that have come before you that have set the standard. Coach Royal, Coach Akers, Coach McWilliams and Coach Brown are the kind of guys you want to go out and play for.
What do you think about the direction that Coach Brown has the program going? When he first came here and I listened to him talk, he excited me. What he's done since he's been here is incredible and it has created a lot of excitement, not only for the ex-players but for every Longhorns fan in the country. I'm on his boat no matter where the journey may take us. I think he is a guy that has taken The University of Texas tradition and molded it into something that everyone is proud of.
