| No. 56 | |
 Brieske from 1948 Michiganensian | |
| Born: | May 4, 1923 Saginaw or Port Huron, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | November 29, 1968 (aged 45) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Placekicker, Center |
| College | Michigan |
| NFL draft | 1948, round: 12, pick: 97 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1942, 1946–1947 | Michigan Wolverines |
James F. Brieske (May 4, 1923 – November 29, 1968) was an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Michigan in 1942, 1946 and 1947. He set Michigan, Rose Bowl, Big Ten Conference, and national collegiate placekicking records and was the second leading scorer on Michigan's undefeated 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team. For more than two decades, he held the Michigan records for most successful point after touchdown ("PAT") conversions in a career (107), season (52), and game (9). Brieske's college football career was interrupted by service in the United States Navy during the 1944 and 1945 football seasons. His kicking foot was amputated in 1967 due to cancer. He died the following year at age 45 following surgery to remove growths from his lungs.