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Wildest dreams After scary start, Burnett enjoys stellar career
Updated: Thursday January 25, 2001 9:55 PM
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Rob Burnett's football career is marked by self-doubt, anger and perseverance. Initially fearful of the college game, Burnett enjoyed a fine career at Syracuse before going surprisingly late in the NFL draft. He reached the Pro Bowl in 1994, but considered retirement last year because of a chronically sore knee. Now, as he stands poised to play in his first Super Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens defensive end hopes to see a real dream come true. As he slept during his first night in Tampa this week, Burnett envisioned himself on the 50-yard line after the final whistle in Sunday's game against the New York Giants. "I usually dream about playing football, but this time I was sitting there, looking at the stands with a big, cheesy grin on my face," he said Wednesday. "I was sweaty and bleeding and mumbling to myself, 'We're world champions!'"
Burnett could have never envisioned such a scenario as a 195-pound high school senior, when he was one of a dozen potential recruits invited to watch the Syracuse spring game. "I never thought I could play at Syracuse," Burnett said. "Watching that game, I didn't want any part of that. I had never seen speed, size and sounds coming off the field like that. I was very intimidated." He got over that fear during his first training camp, in part because he had put on 60 pounds and grown to 6-foot-4. Burnett enjoyed a fine college career, but lasted until the fifth round of the 1990 NFL draft -- 129th overall -- before the Cleveland Browns finally ended his miserable wait. "I was ticked off. I thought my draft position was unsubstantiated," he said. "I had a chip on my shoulder because I knew I was better than a lot of the guys drafted ahead of me at my position." He made up for it with the Browns, moving from tackle to end halfway through his rookie season. He had nine sacks in both 1992 and 1993 and made the Pro Bowl the following year with 82 tackles and 10 sacks. But in 1996 he tore a knee ligament, an injury that bothered him right up to training camp last year. "I was thinking about retiring," he said. "But I just felt good last year, and I feel even better this year." After signing a four-year, $14 million deal in February, Burnett this season set career marks with 10 1/2 sacks and 97 tackles. He was a force on a defense that set records for fewest points (165) and yards rushing (970) allowed during a 16-game season. "He's the ideal professional, the way he studies, the way he knows the game and knows everybody's position," Ravens tackle Tony Siragusa said. Although he's no longer in any rush to move on, Burnett has already thought about life after football. He and partner Nick Garone manage six boxers, along with partner Nick Garone. They have four fighters ranked in the top 15 worldwide, including Ross Thompson, a junior middleweight ranked sixth by the IBF; T.J. Wilson, a heavyweight who won his first two bouts by knockouts; and Rhoshii Wells, who is 10-0. "I've always been a boxing fan and have plans to get into it when I retire," Burnett said. "When we had the opportunity to sign Rhoshii after the Olympics, we went for it. We've actually turned down signing some guys, because I don't have that much time during the season. Nick has been doing it by himself. "But I think I've figured out what it takes to be a manager." That can wait. For now, Burnett is working on living out his wildest dream.
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