On Tuesday, the sports world was stunned by the news that legendary former University of Hawaii QB Colt Brennan at the age of 37. Though Brennan didn’t go on to a successful NFL career, what he accomplished over three seasons at Hawaii captivated the college football world from 2005-07.
In particular, his 2006-07 seasons made him a legend in Hawaii which had a tremendous impact on future NFL quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa.
The two of them, along with Florida State QB and Hawaii native McKenzie Milton paid tribute to Brennan in a video for Hawaii’s local KHON station.
‘Words can’t really express what he meant’ – Born & raised #Hawaii quarterbacks who idolized Colt Brennan growing up, Marcus Mariota, McKenzie Milton, and Tua Tagovailoa pay tribute to the legend. #RIPColt @HawaiiFootball pic.twitter.com/7hGlunVND1
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) May 12, 2021
“Today’s a sad day for Hawaii football,” said Mariota. “Colt Brennan was an inspiration to me and to a lot of people. Words really can’t express what he meant. Growing up I used to go to the games, I used to love watching the highlights. . . It gave me aspirations, it gave me dreams.”
The segment featured a picture of a young Mariota with Colt Brennan. Mariota would have been about 13 years old during Brennan’s magical season at Hawaii in which he threw of 5,549 yards and 58 touchdowns and 14 the next season when Brennan led the Warriors to an undefeated regular season and a Sugar Bowl invite.
There’s really no telling what watching that take place when Mariota was shaping his football career did for him. It’s impossible to quantify.
“Today is a sad day,” Mariota continued. “I think about his family, think about the people that he impacted. The entire state of Hawaii, the community. I just wish his family the best and know that we’re thinking about him and our prayers, our thoughts, our love go to his Ohana. Again, may he rest in peace. It’s a tough day. A tough day for sure.”
