GRINNELL’S BRINKMAN, TAYLOR CHOSEN TO PLAY FOR TEAM STARS & STRIPES IN ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CONTEST AGAINST MEXICAN TEAM

Grinnell College Athletics

GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College’s Tom Brinkman ’13 and Brian Taylor ’13 have been chosen by a panel of NCAA Division III football coaches to represent Team Stars & Stripes in the fourth annual Tázon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars).

The D-III All-Star team’s contest against the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico is slated for Dec. 15 at La Fortaleza Azul (The Blue Fortress) in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Brinkman, a 5-9, 259-pound defensive lineman from Rolfe, Iowa (Pocahontas Area), was a second-team All-Midwest Conference selection in 2012.

He had 46 tackles this season, including four for loss. He also had 2.5 sacks and ranked sixth in the MWC in fumble recoveries with two. Brinkman also blocked a kick this season.

Taylor, a 6-2, 243-pound defensive lineman from Andover, Kan. (Independent), was an All-MWC selection in 2011. He had a team-high four sacks this season despite missing three games due to injury.

He collected 38 tackles, including 15 solos, and had a team-high nine tackles for loss.