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Jim Burrow played for Montreal and Calgary of the CFL . Source: https://www.lapresse.ca/sports (May be subject to copyright) |
I had heard that Joe was Jim Burrow’s son, but I did not quite believe it at first because the math didn’t really line up. I watched Jim Burrow play in the CFL with Montreal and Calgary, but that was a long time ago.
Yet, it was the same Jim Burrow.
North to Montreal
Jim Burrow, a defensive back, played his college football at Nebraska then was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1976. After a season there, he found his way north, joining the Montreal Alouettes in October of 1977 to finish out the year with them.
Jim Burrow, a defensive back, played his college football at Nebraska then was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1976. After a season there, he found his way north, joining the Montreal Alouettes in October of 1977 to finish out the year with them.
He would play just four games in the regular season, but intercepted two passes. Montreal finished first in the East with an 11-5 record. After a first round bye, they defeated Ottawa in the East Final, advancing to the Grey Cup, which was on their home field, the brand new Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The Alouettes hammered the Edmonton football club, 41-6 in a game called “The Ice Bowl” because the field was covered in ice. Montreal ingeniously put staples in their shoes to give them traction, and the big win.
So, Jim Burrow actually had won a Grey Cup, but maybe Joe is thinking of the next few years.
Jim Burrow played a full 16 games in the 1978 season, intercepting five passes, and scoring one touchdown, to lead the East and earn an East all-star selection. He also returned six punts for 59 yards and a 9.8-yard average, and recovered a fumble. The defending champs finished second in the East with a record of 8-7-1. They hosted Hamilton in the East Semi-final, defeating them by a score of 35-20, then went to Ottawa and beat first place Rough Riders by a score of 21-16. They would once again face Edmonton in the Grey Cup, who exacted some revenge for the previous year’s loss, defeating the Alouettes by a score of 20-13.
The 1979 season was another good one for Burrow, as he led the East again in interceptions, with six, and was named an East all-star again. He also had an interception return for a touchdown. Montreal finished first in the East with an 11-4-1 record, earning a first round playoff bye, then beat Ottawa 17-6 in the East Final to advance to their third straight Grey Cup, and third straight meeting wit Edmonton. The Eskimos again prevailed by a score of 17-9 to win their second of what would become five straight Grey Cups.
Heading west
Burrow split the 1980 season with Calgary, where he played six games, and Montreal, where he played nine. He had one interception with each team, and blocked a kick while with Montreal.
Burrow split the 1980 season with Calgary, where he played six games, and Montreal, where he played nine. He had one interception with each team, and blocked a kick while with Montreal.
At the time I was just getting into football and I thought Montreal was a powerhouse while Calgary was not quite there yet, unable to beat Edmonton and get to the Grey Cup. So, when the Stampeders got a Montreal Alouette, I thought he had to be good. After all, he played in the Grey Cup, something the Stampeders hadn’t done since 1971.
End of the line
Burrow rounded out his CFL career in 1981, moving on to the Ottawa Rough Riders where he played in three games and had two interceptions.
Burrow rounded out his CFL career in 1981, moving on to the Ottawa Rough Riders where he played in three games and had two interceptions.
His career totals were 17 interceptions in 54 games, 239 yards, and two touchdowns.
Father figure
He would go on to coach college football teams for more than 40 years, including stints at Washington State; Iowa State; his alma mater Nebraska; North Dakota State; and Ohio. While coaching at Iowa State, his youngest son Joe was born in Ames, Iowa. When Joe entered his final year of college football in 2019, Jim Burrow had retired after 40 years of coaching at the end of the 2018 season, so he could attend all of his son’s games.
He would go on to coach college football teams for more than 40 years, including stints at Washington State; Iowa State; his alma mater Nebraska; North Dakota State; and Ohio. While coaching at Iowa State, his youngest son Joe was born in Ames, Iowa. When Joe entered his final year of college football in 2019, Jim Burrow had retired after 40 years of coaching at the end of the 2018 season, so he could attend all of his son’s games.
Parting thoughts
Although Jim Burrow played in the CFL in the 1980s, so much of his story was written after he finished playing at the age of 28.
Although Jim Burrow played in the CFL in the 1980s, so much of his story was written after he finished playing at the age of 28.
Despite the wins, losses, interceptions and big plays, perhaps his greatest accomplishment is his son Joe.
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