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Kent Branstetter (born February 3, 1949) is a former American football tackle. He played college football for the Tyler Apaches and Houston Cougars and later was a member of the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Green Bay Packers.

Early life

Branstetter was born on February 3, 1949, in Galveston, Texas. He attended La Marque High School and is one of 11 of their alumni to play in the NFL. He played on the ninth grade football team as a freshman before being named starting fullback as a sophomore.

Branstetter also played linebacker, earning second-team All-District honors on defense as a junior while being first-team All-District on offense that year. In his senior season, he was described as "probably the finest defensive lineman in the conference," although he was limited due to injury and only named honorable mention All-District–South Zone at the position that year, additionally earning a second-team All-District selection at fullback.

College career

Branstetter signed to play college football for the Houston Cougars but spent his first year at Tyler Junior College, starting for their football team at tackle. He joined the Cougars in 1969 as a sophomore and saw very limited action while playing as a linebacker, only playing for 12 minutes. He moved to defensive end in 1970 and ended up starting eight games at the position, helping them compile a record of 8–3.

Prior to the 1971 season, Branstetter was moved from his position at defensive end to defensive tackle. He started the whole season as their right defensive tackle and helped them compile a record of 9–3, being their second-leading tackler with 95 by the time they played Colorado in the season finale. Considered "the strongest Cougar of them all," according to the Tampa Times, Branstetter played in the Bluebonnet Bowl and was invited to the North vs. South Lions American Bowl, starting for the south team.

Professional career

Branstetter was selected in the ninth round (216th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He signed his rookie contract in April, two months after having been drafted. At the start of his professional career, his height was 6 ft 3 in, and his weight was 255 lb. He left the team's training camp in July. In mid-August, he was signed as a free agent by the Houston Oilers. Branstetter was released at roster cuts later that month.

Branstetter received interest from the New York Jets, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers after his release by the Oilers, and signed with the Packers in April 1973. He switched positions to playing on the offensive line with Green Bay. Playing offensive tackle, he was released at the final roster cuts but was subsequently re-signed to the taxi squad. He was waived from the taxi squad on September 13 but returned about two weeks later and was activated in October. He made his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 14 and ended up appearing in a total of nine games as a reserve. Branstetter was released at the final roster cuts in 1974, ending his career.

References

1. "Kent Branstetter Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
2. "La Marque (La Marque, TX) Alumni Pro Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
3. "Rebuilding Year For LM Tigers". The La Marque Times. August 19, 1965. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Tigers Rally For Tie With Ponies". The La Marque Times. September 30, 1965. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "4 Ganders On All-District". The Baytown Sun. November 30, 1966. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Wappler, Paul (September 22, 1967). "Ganders, La Marque Hunt For First Victory". The Baytown Sun. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Hartman, Bill (December 3, 1967). "Orchin And Downing Make 12-4A All-District Team". The Baytown Sun. p. 12. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Texas College Grid Signers". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. February 18, 1968. p. 23. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Reeves, Jim (October 31, 1968). "Tyler Apaches: Trick Or Treat". Tyler Morning Telegraph. p. 23. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Brumley Finally No. 1 In Cougars' Plans". The Monitor. September 16, 1970. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ Cormier, Oris (April 4, 1972). "Let's Talk Sports". Daily World. p. 8. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Big Kent In Line For Houston Job". The La Marque Times. August 20, 1970. p. 12. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ "Kent Branstetter". The La Marque Times. December 30, 1971. p. 9. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "1970 Houston Cougars Schedule and Results". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
15. Yeoman, Bill (August 15, 1971). "Houstin Cougars Facing Rebuilding Job In '71". The Waxahachie Daily Light. United Press International. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "1971 Houston Cougars Schedule and Results". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
17. Selman, Jim (January 9, 1972). "'Hopeful' Bowl On Tap Here". The Tampa Tribune. p. 39, 42. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Lions Bowl gets three more men". Tampa Times. December 25, 1971. p. 9, 10. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "1972 NFL Draft". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
20. "Sports Highlights". Enterprise-Journal. Associated Press. April 14, 1972. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "No. 9 Kent Branstetter". Jefferson Parish Times. August 3, 1972. p. 38. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Fourth Saint leaves camp". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Associated Press. July 15, 1972. p. 50. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Branstetter Is Inked By Oilers". The Galveston Daily News. August 18, 1972. p. 5. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Oilers Cut 4 Vets, 9 Rookies". Winston Salem-Journal. Associated Press. August 30, 1972. p. 35. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Kent Branstetter Joins Packers". The La Marque Times. April 5, 1973. p. 10. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Spinning the Sports Globe". Ironwood Daily Glove. July 5, 1973. p. 22. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
27. "Pro Football Cuts". The Los Angeles Times. August 30, 1973. p. 54. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Charlie Napper among 3 waived by Packers". The Post-Crescent. Associated Press. September 14, 1973. p. 23. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Packers deal Garrett for 1974 draft choice". Leader-Telegram. Associated Press. September 26, 1973. p. 15. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
30. "Green Bay will activate tackle Kent Branstetter". The Post-Crescent. October 11, 1973. p. 34. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "Kent Branstetter Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
32. "Packers cut Bowman, WFL signees". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. United Press International. September 11, 1974. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Kent Branstetter NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.

• 1949 births
• Living people
• Players of American football from Galveston, Texas
• New Orleans Saints players
• Houston Oilers players
• Green Bay Packers players
• Houston Cougars football players
• Tyler Apaches football players
• American football offensive tackles