Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1957-1959
Place of Birth: Springfield, OH
Date of Birth: Jul 25, 1936
Place of Death: Framingham, MA
Date of Death: Sep 13, 2003
Jersey Number: 22
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185
High School: Springfield, OH (Springfield HS)
Ron Burton was a speedy, 185-pound halfback for Northwestern, making all-Big Ten in 1958-1959 and All- America in 1959. He set Northwestern records for most points in a season, 76, most touchdowns in a career, 21, and most points in a career, 130. He was recruited out of Springfield, Ohio, by Ara Parseghian, who said, "If you come to Northwestern, I can promise you only two things: a chance to get a good education and a chance to play football." This low-key approach won Burton, who had listened to 47 scholarship offers. He has recalled his start in football. "I wanted to try out for the team in the seventh grade, and the coach wouldn't give me a uniform, he thought I was terrible. I cried so hard, he gave in. When you consider how far I have come, making the Hall of Fame, it is quite an honor." Burton was the first draft choice of the Boston Patriots and played six years with them. He joined the John Hancock Insurance Company in Massachusetts and became an executive consultant with the firm. He became famous for making fine motivational speeches to youth groups.
