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Dismissed Desert Ridge football QB Gunner Brewer still supports team

Former Desert Ridge High quarterback Gunner Brewer, who was removed from the team on October 5, returned to the school last Thursday to show his support during the team’s game against Tempe Corona del Sol. Despite his dismissal—stemming from a disputed play call during a September win—Brewer watched the team from the stands, including the previous week’s 49-7 loss, and chose to attend the latest matchup to rally behind his teammates.

His departure followed a controversial decision by head coach Miles Smith, who cited no prior communication about the issue, leaving Brewer disappointed after four years with the program. The incident also sparked a player revolt, with 12 athletes, including five seniors, walking out of a team meeting in protest.

Those players were suspended for the remainder of the season, though underclassmen may rejoin in the offseason. Brewer, who played both quarterback and safety last year on the 0-10 team, emphasized his loyalty to the program and teammates, calling their solidarity ‘huge’ and vowing to stand by them despite the fallout.

Athletic director Kevin Swann restricted media access to the game, though Brewer spoke briefly outside the stadium, where his mother granted permission for an interview. Smith, hired last December, has faced criticism over his handling of the situation, with no public response yet to inquiries about the dismissals or the players’ walkout.

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