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Today in Patriots History
Ron Burton
Ron Burton
In memory of Ron Burton, who would have been 85 today
Born July 25, 1936 in Springfield, Ohio
Patriot HB/PR/KR 1960-65; uniform #22
Pats first draft pick (#9 overall) in 1960, from Northwestern
Died in Boston at the age of 67 in 2003
There is a must-read story on Ron Burton's youth here:
Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village
Because of his parental situation, his grandmother kept him in the church to keep an eye on him. He was scorned and laughed at by other kids because of his extreme poverty and lack of athletic talent. Ron was predictably the last child to be chosen for any game or team by other kids. Constantly teased and belittled by his classmates, his middle school administration added insult to injury by not allowing young Ron to try out for the football team. Being of frail build and with no guidance in sports, his middle school actually feared for his well being and Ron was the only student to whom the school refused to give a football uniform.
Aug 17, 2012:
The Boston Patriots' Ron Burton
#03 - Ron Burton Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian's Northwestern teams in the late 1950s,
talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com
Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian’s Northwestern teams in the late 1950s, and was selected All-America in 1959.
Burton immediately found a home for himself in the Patriots backfield, and running back punts and kickoffs. He played in 41-of-42 Patriots games from 19601-962, before a devastating back injury caused him to miss the entire 1963 season. During his five-year career, Ron Burton carried the ball 429 times for 1,36 yards (3.6 average) and nine touchdowns. He also caught 111 passes for 1,205 yards and eight scores.
Ron Burton retired after the 1966 preseason, and immediately went to work for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Companies in Boston. He developed into a highly successful insurance salesman. Later he transferred to an executive position in public relations, and became one of the nation’s top motivational speakers.
In 1999, at the age of 64, Burton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone cancer). He lived another three years before passing away in 2003.
Sept 15, 2003:
Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67
Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67 Sunday
www.patriots.com
As a high school senior, Ron Burton was considered the best football player in the state of Ohio after he earned All-American and All-Ohio honors as a senior. He received 47 scholarship offers that year and chose Northwestern University, where he earned All-American honors during his junior and senior seasons. On Nov. 22, 1959, the American Football League held their inaugural draft and the Boston Patriots selected Burton with their first pick.
In six seasons with the Patriots he appeared in 69 games and recorded 4,249 all-purpose yards while scoring 18 touchdowns. In 1962, he appeared in every game and recorded career highs with 548 yards and two touchdowns on 134 carries (4.1 avg.). He also added 40 receptions for 461 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Sept 14, 2003:
Ron Burton passes away
The New England Patriots learned this morning of the passing of Ron Burton, the first player drafted in franchise history. He was 67 years old.
www.patriots.com
Throughout his playing career, Burton was a leader both on the field and in the community. Following his career, Burton remained in New England, where he raised his family and continued his commitment to philanthropy. In 1985, Ron and his family bought 305 acres of land in Hubbardston, Mass. and built the facilities to host the Ron Burton Training Village, which annually provides a month-long “training camp” atmosphere for inner-city and underprivileged children to help them build self-esteem, self-reliance, respect for others and racial harmony through athletic and educational activities. Thousands of children from throughout New England have attended the camp, which has hosted attendees from as far away as Florida and California.
This past summer, the New England Patriots created a community service award and named it after Ron Burton. The award will be presented annually to the player who, like Burton, makes the greatest impact in the New England community.
Ron Burton Sr. built a ‘utopia’ of love and faith, leaving a legacy greater than football
Ron Burton Sr., the Patriots' first draft pick in 1960, built a legacy bigger than football through the Ron Burton Training Village, and his family's dedication has ensured it lives on.
www.patriots.com
Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village
Ron Burton Sr. was an extremely impoverished young boy growing up in Springfield, Ohio who essentially had no parents. His mother passed while he was in middle school and his father became very ill. Ron was moved out of that home to be cared for by other family members. Thankfully, his...
www.ronburtontrainingvillage.org
Nothing into Something: The Burton Family Story
Whether it’s been in 1957 or 2020, on the field or inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, the Burtons have brought great things through NU, both in their sports and outside of them.
www.insidenu.com
Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village - Fifty Plus Advocate Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village
By Jane Keller Gordon, Assistant Editor Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft choice.
www.fiftyplusadvocate.com