Former Daleville and Troy star on the comeback trail

Brandon Burks was the first Daleville graduate to play in the NFL since the 1990s and in doing so he was living his lifelong dream.

All of that changed, however, earlier this year when he was waived by the New York Jets after suffering a severe knee injury.

“I had never even had an injury in my entire life that needed surgery,” Burks said of his knee injury. “Now, I got cut because of an injury and I thought no one would want me after that.”

Despite the injury, though, Burks is on the comeback trail as he recovers from surgery.

The Daleville-native earned all-state honors during his time at Daleville but what he remembers most is the attention his teachers showed to his academics.

“High school helped me grow into the man I became,” Burks said of his time at Daleville High. “I learned a lot there that carried over into college and then the NFL. I miss the times that I had in high school, just having fun and playing the game that I love.

“The teachers and the guidance counselors at Daleville were really hands on with me. They really motivated me to think that were something there for me besides football. Even though I was a great athlete, they made sure I was also a great student and even helped get me into national honors society.”

As a senior, Burks rushed for 1,530 yards and 27 touchdowns and had a record-setting 411 yard, seven touchdown performance against Bullock County. Following his star-studded senior year, Burks earned a scholarship to play at Troy.

“In college I was on my own,” Burks said of Troy. “I had to wake up early on my own and show up to class on time without any help. I think Troy really helped me become a better person.

“Everything I learned from Coach Blakeney and Coach Brown and my teammates, really the whole experience, made into a much better person.”

As a senior at Troy, Burks rushed for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns before signing with the Green Bay Packers following the season.

Burks said that watching his former teammates get a huge win over LSU last week was a joy to see.

“I went crazy after that,” Burks recalled. “I called (Troy running back) Jordan (Chunn) and told him how proud of them I was. I was so happy for the team. They have a little chip on their shoulders, which they will need to finish out the season the way they have a chance to.”

Burks played for the Packers for much of the 2016 season before being waived and signed by the New York Jets.

“I’ve loved every minute of it,” Burks said of playing in the NFL. “Just to have the opportunity to be in that environment makes me so happy but I’m not done yet.”

Burks said that despite his frustrations following his knee injury, he learned a valuable lesson about patience.

“After the injury I sat back and prayed and really learned that I had to have patience,” he said. “I was always a kid that never had much patience. I wanted stuff done right now but God put patience in my life. You have to have patience. God has a plan for you.”

Burks says that his knee is stronger than before the injury.

“I’m moving like a rocket, even better than I was before,” Burks said. “At first, when I had the injury I didn’t think I would be able to move the same way.

“I’m running faster and I just started cutting last week. I was timid at first but it’s going a lot better. I’m going to continue hitting it until I’m 110 percent.”

Burks said that he will be released from physical therapy next month and already has teams calling him.

“Three months into the injury teams started calling and checking on me,” he said. “Hearing from them really motivated me to get back and show them that I went down but now I’m back.”

While Burks has been hard at work since the injury, he gives a lot of credit to the staff of Enterprise Therapy Center for his recovery.

“I thank God for Allen (Bryant) and the staff at Enterprise Therapy Center,” Burks said. “Without them I wouldn’t be moving at this fast pace in my recovery.”

Burks said that Bryant has been there throughout the recovery, not only helping him recover from the injury physically but also being there to talk to Burks as a friend.

“Anybody that can help me take care of my momma I have to take my hat off to them,” Burks said. “The NFL will help me take of her and they are helping me do that. One of the reasons that I’m coming back so strong is because of them and I can’t thank them enough.”

Burks said that he can’t wait to get back on an NFL field.

“I see myself playing ball and going crazy on the field,” Burks said of his immediate future. “I had the injury but I feel like I have a bright future in front of me. I asked God to show me what I need to do and he’s shown me that I need to work and get back to where I was.

“Football is my life and it’s been there for me for many years. Football has been there for me and I’m always going to be there for football.”