Harry Clifton Burrus Jr. (April 6, 1921 – September 20, 2004) was an American football halfback.

Harry Burrus
refer to caption
Harry Burrus, c. 1966
Personal information
Born:(1921-04-06)April 6, 1921
Slaton, Texas, U.S.
Died:September 20, 2004(2004-09-20) (aged 83)
Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Big Spring (TX)
College:Hardin–Simmons
Position:Halfback
NFL draft:1942 / round: 6 / pick: 50
(by the Chicago Bears)[1]
Career history
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Burrus was born in Texas in 1921 and attended Big Spring High School in Big Spring, Texas, graduating in 1937.[2] He played college football at Hardin–Simmons, graduating in 1941.[2][3] While at Hardin-Simmons, he was selected as a Little All-American.[2]

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force, attained the rank of captain, and played on the Randolph Field Ramblers football team.[2]

He played professional football in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the New York Yankees in 1946 and 1947 and for the Chicago Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. He appeared in 38 professional football games, nine of them as a starter, and tallied 28 receptions for 670 yards and four touchdowns.[3]

In 1949, he was hired by Washington University in St. Louis as an assistant professor of physical education and assistant football coach.[4] He became athletic director at Washington University in 1958. He left Washington University in 1966 for a post at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa.[5] He served as the tennis coach at Parsons.[6]

He died in 2004 in Winter Haven, Florida.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "1942 Chicago Bears". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Harry Burrus Signs With Pro Grid Club". Lubbock Morning Avalanche. January 22, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Harry Burrus Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Harry Burrus Gets Post At University". Lubbock Evening Journal. May 6, 1949. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Harry Tuthill (April 7, 1966). "Harry Burrus to Leave W.U." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 6D – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Former Coach Dies". The Des Moines Register. September 26, 2004. p. 10C – via Newspapers.com.