Ron Burton

Ronald E. "Ron" Burton (July 25, 1936 – September 13, 2003) became a college All-American running back at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, a member of the Northwestern Hall of Fame and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Playing career

Northwestern Wildcats

Burton was a star on Ara Parseghian's late 1950s Northwestern Wildcats football teams. Named all-Big Ten in 1958 and 1959, and All-America in 1959, Burton left Northwestern having broken school records for most points in a career (130), most points in a season (76), most touchdowns in a career (21). Burton led Northwestern in all-purpose yards in 1957, 1958, and 1959.

New England Patriots

Burton was the Boston Patriots' first-ever American Football League draft choice in 1960. He was the first Patriot to rush for over 100 yards: 127 against the Denver Broncos on 23 October 1960, as well as numerous other firsts for the Patriots. His 91-yard touchdown return on a missed field goal in 1962 remains a Patriot record. He compiled 1,009 combined yards in rushing and receiving in 1962, and provided strong depth at running back for the Patriots from 1960 through 1965.

Ron Burton (linebacker)

Ron Burton (born May 2, 1964) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League and the current defensive line coach for Michigan State Spartans football.

Early life

Burton was an all-state, all-district and all-region selection as an outside linebacker at Highland Springs High School. He was also named the prep player of the year in 1982.

College career

Burton was a four-year letterman at the North Carolina Tar Heels football (1982–86), where he made three bowl appearances and was named team captain and best defensive lineman as a senior. His eight sacks during the 1986 season presently tie him for seventh on UNC's single-season sack list. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in Industrial relations.

Professional career

Moving on to the next level, Burton spent four seasons playing linebacker in the National Football League with the Dallas Cowboys (1987–89), Phoenix Cardinals (1989) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1990). He started the last six games at middle linebacker for the Cowboys his rookie year in 1987. He also started 15 games in 1988 at outside linebacker for the Cowboys. While playing for the Raiders, Burton was on the team that played in the 1990 AFC Championship Game.