Colt Brennan was a record-setting quarterback who played college football for the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors from 2005 to 2007. He finished his career with numerous NCAA records and accolades, including a third-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting in 2007.
Colt Brennan's passion for football began at a young age. As a child, he was obsessed with Monday Night Football and would always talk about the sport during show-and-tell at school.1 His teachers would have to steer him away from the subject.1
At Mater Dei High School, Brennan backed up future Heisman winner Matt Leinart as a junior.1 He was named the starter his senior year and was eager for his grandfather, whom he called "Papa", to watch him play.1 However, Papa passed away from an aortic aneurysm two weeks before Brennan's senior season began, never getting the chance to see him start.1
Mater Dei struggled to a 1-3 start that year as Brennan had difficulty finding his rhythm, bouncing passes off the ground.1 The loss of his grandfather weighed heavily on him mentally and emotionally.1 As a result, college recruiters lost interest in Brennan.1
After graduating, he spent a postgraduate year at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts where he continued to develop his skills.2 Despite his talent, he failed to garner much attention from college programs beyond an offer from Utah State out of high school.2 He ultimately decided to walk on at the University of Colorado, hoping to earn a scholarship.23
Brennan's college football career spanned three schools. He began as a walk-on at the University of Colorado in 2002, redshirting his first year.1 In 2004, after legal troubles led to his dismissal from Colorado, Brennan transferred to Saddleback College.12 There he repaired his image, earning honorable mention JUCO All-America honors while leading Saddleback to a conference championship.1
Brennan's biggest success came at the University of Hawaii, where he walked on in 2005 and went on to rewrite the record books.12 In three seasons as a starter from 2005-2007, he broke or tied 31 NCAA records, including the single-season mark for touchdown passes (58) and career TD passes (131).23 His 2006 season was one for the ages - 5,549 passing yards and 58 TDs while leading the nation in total offense, passing efficiency, and numerous other categories.2 Brennan capped off his Hawaii career with a stellar 2007 season, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting.23 He led the Rainbow Warriors to an undefeated 12-0 regular season before losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.2 By the time his college career ended, Brennan had established himself as one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history.123
Brennan faced significant personal struggles and controversies throughout his life. In 2004, while at the University of Colorado, he was arrested after entering a female student's dorm room uninvited and allegedly exposing himself, a charge Brennan denied.12 He was convicted of felony burglary and trespassing, serving one week in jail and receiving probation until graduation.123
After his football career, Brennan continued to battle substance abuse and addiction. He had multiple arrests, including DUIs, and spent time in rehabilitation facilities.4 In 2010, he was seriously injured in a car accident in Hawaii.3
Brennan sought treatment for his addictions numerous times, including a 60-day inpatient program, but continued to relapse.4 His family noted the "excruciating struggle to break Colt Brennan's endless cycle of addiction: drinking and drugs, arrests and alienations, apologies and vows to change."4
In the months before his death in 2021, Brennan made efforts to rebuild his life. He wrote a letter to his parents taking responsibility for his actions and expressing his desire to make them proud again.4 However, he ultimately succumbed to an accidental drug overdose in May 2021 at age 37.243 Fentanyl was found in his system, which his father believes Colt consumed unintentionally.4