Brawley is a North Carolina native who attended Mooresville High School in Iredell County.  As a high school wrestler, Brawley won WNCAA championships in both 1961 and 1962 at 154 lbs. He attended North Carolina State University where he is remembered for being a dedicated team leader, hard worker, and a tough and talented wrestler.  Brawley was team captain for the Wolfpack in 1965 and 1966 and won both the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1964 and 1966. Brawley, along with 2008 Hall of Fame inductee Greg Hicks, became the first NC State wrestlers to compete in the NCAA tournament.  In 1966, Brawley won three matches at the nationals in Iowa City and advanced into the championship quarterfinals. After college, he served in the North Carolina National Guard as a helicopter pilot. He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his retirement.  Brawley is also a member of the NC National Guard Hall of Fame.  In 1981, Brawley was first elected to the North Carolina General Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives.  Brawley served two different tenures for a total of ten terms (20 years) in the North Carolina House.  In 1997, he earned the “Outstanding Republican Legislator” award by the National Republican Legislators Association.  As a legislator, he was known for a tireless work ethic, strong integrity, the ability to work with people from various backgrounds, and for standing true to his principles at all times.  In addition to serving as a state legislator, Brawley is a member of the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, Key Club, and the United Methodist Church.  A leader in his church, Brawley has taught Sunday school for 40 years and is a Certified Lay Speaker.  This certification enables him to preach for ministers needing a substitute.  Brawley is the third inductee into the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an “Outstanding American.”