Ron Burton
A former high-school All-American,
Ron Burton (1936-2003) became a college All-American running back at Northwestern University, a member of the Northwestern Hall of Fame, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Burton was the
Boston Patriots' first-ever
American Football League draft choice in 1960. He was the first Patriot to rush for over 100 yards: 127 against the
Denver Broncos on 10/23/1960. He compiled 1,009 combined yards in rushing and receiving in 1962, and provided strong depth at running back for the Patriots from 1960 through 1965. After leaving professional football, this former child of poverty became an eminently successful motivational speaker who then made a major financial and emotional gift to needy children. In Massachusetts, he donated land for and established the Ron Burton Training Village, which holds free summer camps for disadvantaged inner-city youths. Burton is a member of the
American Football League Hall of Fame.
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