Kurt Burris dominates the trenches as an unforgettable force for the Oklahoma Sooners, shattering expectations for an interior lineman.
Football Bio
June 27, 1932 – Nowata, Oklahoma – Kurt Burris, Oklahoma’s top-tier center from the 1951 to 1954 era, was born.
Burris was an All-American Center for the Sooners who finished second in the 1954 Heisman Trophy voting to Alan Ameche of Wisconsin. Pretty outstanding for an “O” lineman!
The two-way star was also a top-notch linebacker on defense. Kurt had five brothers and five sisters, as all the boys played college football. The Burris name was found on the gridiron fields of Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Northeastern State.
The National Football Foundation says that the Helms Foundation named Kurt Player of the Year for 1954, and the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association named him Lineman of the Year that same season.
After the regular season, Burris played in the North-South Game and was captain of the South team. Kurt Burris received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Kurt Burris establishes the gold standard for the center position in college football history. He blocks brilliantly on offense and tackles fiercely on defense, playing an instrumental role in Oklahoma’s legendary winning streaks. By placing second in the Heisman Trophy voting, Burris proves that linemen carry immense value in securing victories. Today, his legacy inspires future generations of gridiron warriors as an immortal member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2000.
- Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2015.
- Heisman Trophy Runner-Up: Finished 2nd in the 1954 voting, the highest finish for a center in the award’s history.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1954.
- Helms Foundation Player of the Year: 1954.
- Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Lineman of the Year: 1954.
- 2× First-Team All-Big Seven: 1953, 1954.
- North-South Game Captain: 1954.
- Grey Cup Champion: 1955 (Edmonton Eskimos).
- Undefeated Dominance: Helped the Sooners win the first 19 games of their legendary 47-game winning streak.