Twelve years ago, Sean Brewer sat in the main room at the Vicksburg Convention Center and watched his father Johnny get inducted to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Sean had had a stellar college football career, but never even entertained the idea that he’d have his own moment in the spotlight one day.

“I never considered it,” said Brewer, a Redwood native. “I’ve been very blessed. My time at Warren Central and Millsaps was good, but I never thought I’d be on that stage.”

On Saturday night, he will.

Sean Brewer will join his father in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame when he gets his own induction as part of the Class of 2016. Brewer was a three-time All-American as a defensive tackle at Millsaps and last December became just the third Warren County player inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Brewer said his induction to the College Hall of Fame was probably more prestigious, but admitted that this one might be more special because of the family connection.

“It’s special because there are many times I think of him as a father and as a Christian man,” Brewer said. “In that regard, this is more of a special family bond. That’s not to take anything away from the National College Football Hall of Fame, which is probably one of the hardest to get into.”

Johnny Brewer was a three-time All-Southeastern Conference offensive lineman at Ole Miss, and played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. He died in 2011 at the age of 74.

Sean Brewer was part of a state championship team at Warren Central in 1988 and went on to become a three-time All-American defensive tackle at Division III Millsaps. Johnny was his first coach at Redwood Elementary, and Sean said his father rarely missed a game during his entire playing career.

Johnny’s dedication to his son’s career was so great that he volunteered to be an assistant coach at Millsaps when Sean played there from 1989-92, and occasionally drove the equipment truck to games as far away as Texas and Indiana.

“All the time coming up, through second grade and high school and college, and him following me, I don’t think he missed but two games I was suited out for,” Sean Brewer, who is now the principal at Rosa Scott High School in Madison, said. “Living up to dad’s standard was tough. It was a high standard. But there was never any doubt he supported me 100 percent. I’ve seen so many cases where parents are not involved in their children’s lives. That was special that he did that.”

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame induction will be the last big moment in a wild 15-month period for Brewer. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in March 2015 and the Mississippi Hall of Fame six months later.

The inductions came later, and thrust the reserved Brewer into the spotlight more than he’s used to. He’s taken it in stride and tried to enjoy it while staying humble.

“I’m not naturally a self-promoter. It’s been a lot of people wanting to ask questions, and that’s been a different experience. Its been a neat and humbling experience to represent Millsaps, Warren Central and God,” said Brewer, a devout Christian. “It’s just an honor and a blessing. I hope my standing and inductions has been to the glory of God.”

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 will be inducted Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-280-3263. A meet-and-greet with this year’s inductees will be held at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum on Lakeland Drive in Jackson from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

In addition to Brewer, the Class of 2016 includes former Mississippi State football coach Jackie Sherrill; Ole Miss and NFL football star Wesley Walls; Alcorn State and NBA basketball standout Larry Smith, who also coached briefly at St. Aloysius; former Southern Miss women’s basketball coach Kay James; and former Southern Miss football star Willie Heidelburg.

MSHOF INDUCTION CEREMONY

Former Warren Central and Millsaps football star Sean Brewer will be among six Mississippi sports legends inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night. The induction ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-280-3263