John Patrick Brechtel III garnered eight total letterman honors, three in football, two in basketball, and three in baseball. 

During the 1958 season, Brechtel received All-Prep, Honorable Mention, and All-State honors in baseball, in addition to playing on Rags Schuermann's AAABA Johnstown NO Boosters. Brechtel also led the baseball team in home runs during the 1960-1962 seasons. 

Brechtel graduated from Holy Cross School in 1958.  He received his B.S. and M.S. from the Univerisity of Southern Mississippi, where he was an "M" Club member, 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee, and a letterman in football and baseball. 

He was part of the 1958 freshman football team that went to the Varsity Small College National Championship. In 1962, Brechtel helped the UPI Small College National Champion football team finish with a 9-1 record. 

Brechtel was very instrumental in his community by coaching in the St. Bernard Parish School System for 35 years. During his stint, he assumed roles of Principal and Supervisor of Child Welfare. 

After being inducted into the St. Bernard Parish Hall of Fame in 1999, St. Bernard High School dedicated the Baseball Field in his honor six years later.  

Brechtel worked for the St. Bernard Sheriffs Office and District Attorney's Office for nearly three decades, holding the rank of captain. He was the beloved husband of Dianne Strauch Brechtel and passed away in 2010, respectfully.