Lawrence Godfrey BURTON

Larry Burton was NCAA 200 champion in 1972, while running for Purdue, and was world ranked #4 that year. Burton also played football at Purdue, and in his senior season he led the Big 10 in receptions (38) and receiving yards (702). He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He played for five years in the NFL, three with the Saints, and his final two years (1978-79) with the San Diego Chargers.

Burton and his wife, Ida, later became family teachers at Boys Town near Omaha, Nebraska, starting in 1980. In 1992 he moved to Long Beach, California, where he directed the Long Beach Shelter. For their service to disadvantaged youths, Burton and his wife were given the Civic Leaders Award by the National Academy of Sport and Athletics. Burton was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.3 (1974); 100 – 10.2 (1972); 200 – 20.37 (1972).