Jimmy Burson passed away on August 2 at the age of 81.
Burson was the Cardinals’ eleventh-round selection in the 1963 NFL draft. He was an outstanding offensive back at Auburn where he set a school record with a 105-yard kickoff return.
The Cardinals switched the Georgia native to defense where he gained a starting role at cornerback in 1964 and intercepted three passes. He also returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. The fleet corner picked off five passes in 1965 and two more in 1966.
The Cardinals traded Burson to the Washington Redskins in 1968, but he was soon after acquired by the Atlanta Falcons. Burson intercepted four passes in 1968 before calling it a career.
Following his playing career, Burson began coaching at the high school level in The Atlanta area. The highlight of his career was a 12-year stint as head coach at Milton High School from 1974-1985.
THE BIG RED ZONE 
Super teammate a, friend and devoted husband to Love of life , Harriet, for 60 + years. Rest in the Lord’s mercy and peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bob: Thanks for informing of the passing of Jimmy Burson. In the Cardinals’ 1965 home opener, he was assigned to cover blazing Cowboys rookie Bob Hayes. Burson held him to 2 catches for 21 yards. In Hayes’ next game, he burned the Eagles with 8 catches, 2 for TDs, and 177 yards. Burson also intercepted 2 Don Meredith passes in that 1965 Cardinals home-opening win over the Cowboys. The first pickoff stopped a Cowboys scoring chance and “the crowd gave Burson a standing ovation for that effort,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Burson earned the respect of teammate Larry Wilson, who told the Post-Dispatch in 1964, “Burson is a lot like Pat Fischer _ he looks small but he has a lot of heart and is really quick. Burson is a lot like the baseball Cardinals’ Ken Boyer in that he doesn’t look as if he is making much effort, because his moves are so smooth and coordinated, but Jimmy really gets things done.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good stuff Mark! I love Larry Wilson comparing Burson to Kenny Boyer!
LikeLike