By Jansen Myers–
A model of consistency and leadership at the linebacker for the last four years, senior James Burgess was able to help his Cardinals defense pull out a much needed victory against Virginia in his last game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium last Saturday.
This hard-fought game, which was the last for many seniors in Papa John’s, was the victory that sealed a 6th straight bowl eligible season for the Cardinals.
This final home game is the perfect cherry on top of an excellent career by the senior linebacker from Homestead, FL.
Since his freshman season in the famous 2012 season where the Cardinals won the Sugar Bowl to now, Burgess has served his coaches with an unbeatable work ethic, served his fans with consistent statistics and jaw-dropping displays of athleticism, and served his community with countless hours spent visiting sick children in the hospital, or donating signed gloves to kids that get all A’s on their report cards.
As a four-year starter on a defense that has been near the top of the league for much of that time, this model college football career is one that will be left in the memory of Cardinal football fans for years to come.
Burgess started his life with a tough upbringing in South Florida, and it is this childhood that inspires him to work harder than ever so his mother will never have to work again.
Burgess came to U of L as a freshman in the 2012 season, where he started four games. He recorded 27 tackles and two interceptions in one of the most successful seasons in Cardinal Football history.
His sophomore season is where Burgess made the leap to an elite member of the defensive unit. In a season that saw his Cardinals defeat his hometown Miami Hurricanes in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Burgess recorded 71 tackles, good for third on the team.
This was an impressive statistic for a sophomore on a loaded, veteran defense coming off a Sugar Bowl victory in the previous season.
Burgess continued to show his consistency as a linebacker in his junior season, again finishing third on the team with 71 tackles, as well as adding three interceptions, including one against Florida State’s Heisman winner Jameis Winston. Named a preseason All-ACC linebacker, he has again excelled this season, currently sitting at second on the team with 78 total tackles and a key interception in the close loss against top-ranked Clemson.
Burgess has also been a model player off the field, donating 45 community service hours to classrooms, hospitals and camps across the community. This puts him in the top five for all University of Louisville student-athletes.
Burgess has never been one to turn down an opportunity to serve his community due to the way he was raised. He said of his community service, “I try to communicate with every kid I encounter, talk positively and try to keep a smile on their face and let them know that I care about the community and we care about the community.”
James Burgess has worked hard to produce excellent results on and off the field. It is with proud hearts that we at the Louisville Cardinal applaud his career, as well as the careers of all the seniors who were honored at the Senior Day ceremony this last Saturday against Virginia.
Burgess has become a fan favorite after his career with Cardinal Football, and we all hope to see him have success at the next level in his life.
