Raymond Burnett
Encyclopedia
Raymond Burnett was a professional American football
player and coach.
A native of New Hope, Arkansas
, Burnett was a standout football player for four years in basketball and football at Atkins High School from 1928-31. Nicknamed “Rabbit” he starred as halfback
at Arkansas Tech University
and the Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas
), before playing the 1938 NFL season
for the Chicago Cardinals.
Burnett then started his coaching career at Atkins High School in 1939, where he coached for two seasons before having his career interrupted by World War II
. In 1944 he returned to coaching, taking over head coaching duties at tradition-rich Little Rock Central High School. After an unbeaten 14-0 season in 1946 his team was named mythical national high school champion
.
In 1948, Burnett left Little Rock High for his alma mater Arkansas Tech, where he served as head coach for six seasons. He compiled a 30-24-3 overall record, including leading Tech to back-to-back AIC titles in 1948 and 1949. However, after some less successful seasons Burnett left Arkansas Tech to coach at North Little Rock High School from 1954-56. He was inducted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1974.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and coach.
A native of New Hope, Arkansas
New Hope, Arkansas
New Hope, Arkansas is an unincorporated community in Illinois Township, Pope County, Arkansas, United States....
, Burnett was a standout football player for four years in basketball and football at Atkins High School from 1928-31. Nicknamed “Rabbit” he starred as halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
at Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive regional institution located in Russellville, Arkansas, United States. The university offers programs at both baccalaureate and graduate levels in a range of fields. As of 2004, the University also operates a small satellite campus in the town of Ozark...
and the Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is a state-run institution located in the city of Conway, the seat of Faulkner County, north of Little Rock and is the fourth largest university by enrollment in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and the third largest college system in the state. The school is most...
), before playing the 1938 NFL season
1938 NFL season
The 1938 NFL season was the 19th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the New York Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game.-Major rule changes:...
for the Chicago Cardinals.
Burnett then started his coaching career at Atkins High School in 1939, where he coached for two seasons before having his career interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1944 he returned to coaching, taking over head coaching duties at tradition-rich Little Rock Central High School. After an unbeaten 14-0 season in 1946 his team was named mythical national high school champion
High School Football National Championship
The High School Football National Championship is a national championship honor awarded to the best high school football team in the United States of America based on rankings from USA Today and the National Prep Poll. There have been some efforts over the years at organizing a single-game playoff...
.
In 1948, Burnett left Little Rock High for his alma mater Arkansas Tech, where he served as head coach for six seasons. He compiled a 30-24-3 overall record, including leading Tech to back-to-back AIC titles in 1948 and 1949. However, after some less successful seasons Burnett left Arkansas Tech to coach at North Little Rock High School from 1954-56. He was inducted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1974.