For the first time in the football program’s 13-year history, Sedona Red Rock High School has produced an NCAA Division 1 prospect in senior kicker Jordan Burke who signed a national letter of intent on Feb. 6 to play for Pacific-10 Conference school Washington State University.
By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
For the first time in the football program’s 13-year history, Sedona Red Rock High School has produced an NCAA Division 1 prospect in senior kicker Jordan Burke who signed a national letter of intent on Feb. 6 to play for Pacific-10 Conference school Washington State University.
“I’m looking forward to playing Pac-10 football for Washington State,” Burke said.
During his time with the Sedona football program, Burke was recognized as one of the best athletes on the team as he played wide receiver, cornerback and safety but did not excel at these as much as at what he did best, kicking the pigskin.
“Opposing coaches have always said that Jordan [Burke] possessed a Division 1 leg and that he could probably go play anywhere,” Sedona head coach Brian Batty said.
Burke’s kicking ability was solidified early on in his career when his father Paul Burke told him one simple thing.
“I told him when he was young to be smarter than me and be a kicker. I didn’t think he would actually listen,” Paul Burke said with a big smile.
The game of football is tightly woven within Burke’s genes as his father also played for Washington State at tight end before transferring to Idaho University to finish out his collegiate career.
He then signed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets in 1994 before ending his playing career in 1997 with the Carolina Panthers.
Burke was actually born on campus in the spring of 1990 while his father was still a part of the Cougar football team, which makes all of this a coming home party.
“Jordan [Burke] was actually born on campus at Washington State in Pullman. That is where we’re originally from and it will be good to get back home,” Paul Burke said.
Burke, who turns 18 years old in April, can’t believe this is happening to him and thanks God for the opportunity to play football.
“I never imagined I would go play big-time football after high school. I’ve worked hard and God has helped me through,” Burke said.
Burke is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will be looking to go on a mission sometime after he begins school in Pullman, or he might chose to complete his mission first before attending school.
“I was born into the faith and this is always something I’ve wanted to do,” Burke said of going on a mission.
Burke is unsure where he will be going but says God will show him the way.
In the meantime, while getting antsy just waiting for his first kick in Clarence D. Martin Stadium in front of 75,000 screaming fans, Burke will wrap up his senior year at Sedona by taking a few tests, turning in his exhibition and looking to get solid grades to improve on his 2.75 grade point average.
“I thank my family and my friends for supporting me and I thank coach Batty for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do on the field,” Burke said.
Once his church mission is complete and football career at Washington State is coming to an end, Burke hopes to be holding a degree in kinesiology before he begins another mission, or game, called life.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
