Curtis Burrow
{{Short description|American football player (born 1962)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Curtis Burrow
| number = 5
| position = Placekicker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|12|11}}
| birth_place = Brinkley, Arkansas, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 185
| high_school = Brinkley (Brinkley, Arkansas)
| college = Central Arkansas (1982–1985)
| undraftedyear = 1986
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|1986}})*
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|1987}})*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1988}})
| pfr = B/burrocur01
}}
Curtis D. Burrow (born December 11, 1962) is an American former professional football player. He played college football for the Central Arkansas Bears as a placekicker and was a two-time All-American. He was a member of the New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played his only NFL game in 1988 with the Packers.
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Early life
Burrow was born on December 11, 1962, in Brinkley, Arkansas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/b/burr02600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 27, 2025|title=Curtis Burrow Stats}} He attended Brinkley High School and then the University of Central Arkansas from 1982 to 1985, where he majored in physical education.{{Cite book|url=https://dn720005.ca.archive.org/0/items/packers-1989-media-guide-green-bay-c/Packers%2C%201989%20Media%20Guide%20%28Green%20Bay%29%20%28C%29.pdf|title=Packers, 1989 Media Guide|page=91|access-date=April 27, 2025|author=Remmel, Lee|author-link=Lee Remmel|date=1989}}
Burrow played for the Central Arkansas Bears in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), being their starter at placekicker in his last three seasons. He was named first-team NAIA All-American following his junior and senior seasons, helping the Bears reach the national championship in both those seasons. On the last play of the 1984 national championship, he missed a 70-yard field goal attempt, resulting in a tie. He concluded his collegiate career having made 43 of 64 field goal attempts and 103 of 110 extra point attempts.
Professional career
Burrow signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent following the 1986 NFL draft but was released on August 18, 1986. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on February 5, 1987, but was released by them on May 8, 1987.{{Cite web |title=Curtis Burrow Transactions |url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/b/burr02600.html |access-date=April 27, 2025 |website=Pro Football Archives}} Afterwards, he returned to Arkansas, where he began studying for a teaching certificate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/171241913/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 15, 1988|page=25, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/171241980/ 29]|title=Infante hopes 4th kicker has what it takes|author=Schultz, Rob}} {{Open access}} He had been noticed by a Green Bay Packers coach at a kicking camp, and on August 18, 1988, he signed with the Packers after a tryout.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/171242398/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 18, 1988|page=6|title=Burrow new challenger for Zendejas|author=McGinn, Bob}} {{Open access}} He was signed for his leg strength and ability to consistently kickoff for touchbacks. He appeared in one preseason game but was then released on August 23, losing out to Max Zendejas for the team's kicker job.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times/171242234/|newspaper=The Journal Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 15, 1988|page=17|title=Burrow gets foot in Packers' door|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/baraboo-news-republic/171242520/|newspaper=Baraboo News Republic|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 15, 1988|page=10|title=Packers new kicker not crazy about the cold|agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}}
In October, Burrow was contacted by the Packers after Zendejas was released, but did not sign. He was contacted again after the Packers released Dale Dawson, Zendejas's replacement, but the job instead went to Dean Dorsey. He said that he had kept training in hopes of being ready if asked to play, but began "getting close to giving up hope" around Week 13. However, prior to the last game of the season, the Packers cut Dorsey and signed Burrow. He appeared against the Phoenix Cardinals but performed poorly, making only two of four extra point attempts and having a 49-yard field goal blocked.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/171243218/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 19, 1988|page=28|title=Burrow adds to kicking despair}} {{Open access}} He initially returned in 1989, but was released on July 19, 1989, ending his professional career. After his career, he served as a coach at Brinkley High School.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun/171243456/|newspaper=Jonesboro Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 3, 1996|page=19|title=Trumann captures 3AA-South crown|author=McGough, David}} {{Open access}}