Nelson Nominated For Burlsworth Trophy
Nov 12 | Football
DALLAS (SMU/Springdale Rotary Club) - SMU senior wide receiver Stephen Nelson has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club announced today. In the award's fifth year, the Trophy is given annually to the Division I collegiate player who began their career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
Nelson, a Beaverton, Ore., native, is currently third on the team in receiving with 26 catches for 199 yards. Nelson had a career-best nine catches for 48 yards at then-No. 22 East Carolina on Oct. 4. Nelson has started six games this season and played in all eight, recording at least one catch in every game.
"As we enter our 5th year of the Burlsworth Trophy, I am again impressed by the quality of committed athletes that have been selected," said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. "They each represent what the Burlsworth Trophy stands for: hard work, dedication to a sport and to their school and above all else, a commitment to excel at the highest level."
The award was created in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on to the Arkansas Razorback team in 1994, worked his way to being a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft, but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.
Springdale Rotary Club will host a banquet on Dec. 8th in Springdale, Ark. to honor the finalists and to announce the 2014 winner.
