BOCA RATON – He walked into the room standing six-foot-two, fresh off the practice field holding a Frost Gatorade in hand.
Although I knew he’d just spent hours out in the hot Florida sun, he appeared more as if he’d just awoken from a good nap.
I stood up to greet Sam Burton, who stars on the Spanish River football team. He was reserved yet personable and proceeded to sit down on the couch adjacent to mine at the local Mcdonald’s. We chatted for a while as I tried to break the ice so he could relax and hopefully allow me to peel back a few layers.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Burton moved down the highway to Boca Raton, getting into football at the age of nine with E. Boca Tackle and the Boca Braves. He grew up with the same aspirations as many other young men of playing football at a professional level.
Burton stands at 6’2” and weighs at 235 pounds, running a 4.5 in the 40. I have seen him use that speed to chase down quarterbacks and running backs alike with ease. He has played nearly every position on the field from defensive end to outside linebacker, running back, fullback, defensive tackle, wide receiver, and tight end.
This is what we refer to in the sports realm as an athlete.
This is Sam’s senior year with Spanish River, and he’s come out of the blocks dominating on the field. In his first eight games of the season he racked up 14 sacks, averaging 1.75 per game. That’s not counting the two rushing, one passing touchdown, 77 tackles, 1 interception and 29 carries for 173 rushing yards.
His best game so far this year came against powerhouse Atlantic, where he registered four sacks, 14 tackles, a blocked punt and a rushing touchdown.
“Sam is a great player, one of the best I have ever coached,” Spanish River head coach Bill Ceasar said. “I have coached a lot of great players. Players that have played in the NFL, players that are currently in the NFL, Pro Bowl players and all. Sam is at the top with these players. He is a loyal kid. Sam could have left Spanish River and played for anyone else. But he stayed true and stayed humble. He just comes to work everyday and put in work. The kid is a beast, one of the best in the state. Whoever he signs with will get a great player.”
Burton, an ESPN Top 63 athlete, has received offers from UMass, Bethune-Cookman, Central Connecticut and Keiser University. I would be willing to bet he will be receiving many more offers before it’s all said and done.
The Spanish River athlete considers himself to be a silent assassin on the field, with his motivation being do everything he can to win the game.
Burton says he wants to create a career centered around the sport he loves. Outside of playing the game he would want to eventually coach or be involved with the game in some capacity.
In his spare time, Burton likes to play 7-on-7 football, basketball, video games and watch football on TV. And he has some favorites he wants to share with everyone.
Favorite food: Orange Chicken
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Sport: Of course football
Favorite NFL Team: New England Patriots
Favorite Sport Idols: Von Miller/Dante Fowler/Randy Gregory
If you were a car what would you be: Purple Dodge Challenger
Offense or Defense: Defense
Sack or TD: TD (harder to get)
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
