In 2010, a trophy was named after Brandon Burlsworth, an All-American football player from the University of Arkansas who began his career as a walk-on. He was killed in a car accident on his way home from Fayetteville after signing an NFL contract.
Michael Taaffe, a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns, was named the Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week for his standout performance against Vanderbilt. In the Longhorns' 27-24 win, Taaffe made six tackles, forced a fumble, and grabbed his first interception of the year.
It's always inspiring to see walk-on players like Taaffe to make such significant contributions to their teams!
I think the University of Texas should also honor the best walk-on every 5th year. If there had been such an award in 1968, Stan Mauldin and Tom Campbell would have received it. Books, newspapers, and magazines regularly chronicle the best of these football fairy tale walk-ons, so the Longhorn SID department at Texas also needs to celebrate the best Longhorn walk-ons.
Here is the movie behind the inspiration for the Burlworth walk-on award.
Michael Taaffe, a defensive back for the Texas Longhorns, was named the Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week for his standout performance against Vanderbilt. In the Longhorns' 27-24 win, Taaffe made six tackles, forced a fumble, and grabbed his first interception of the year.
It's always inspiring to see walk-on players like Taaffe to make such significant contributions to their teams!
I think the University of Texas should also honor the best walk-on every 5th year. If there had been such an award in 1968, Stan Mauldin and Tom Campbell would have received it. Books, newspapers, and magazines regularly chronicle the best of these football fairy tale walk-ons, so the Longhorn SID department at Texas also needs to celebrate the best Longhorn walk-ons.
Here is the movie behind the inspiration for the Burlworth walk-on award.
