2016-media-guide

RETIRED NUMBERS
The ultimate honor is to have your jersey number retired, and in the 122 years the Razorbacks have been on the football field, only two players have had the honor
bestowed upon them. Clyde Scott (No. 12) and Brandon Burlsworth (No. 77) have worn numbers no future Razorback will ever wear.
NO. 12 CLYDE “SMACKOVER” SCOTT — (1946-49)
Following a glamorous career in the 1940s, the athletic department decided to
retire No. 12. Nicknamed “Smackover” for his hometown, Clyde Scott made a name
for himself in 1948, winning the silver medal in the hurdles at the Olympic Games
in August and then reporting to football practice where he would earn All-America
honors during his senior year.
Scott rushed for 1,463 yards during his career for a school record at the time.
In 1948 he had an impressive 7.0 yards-per-carry average, gaining 670 yards
on 95 attempts. Scott was the first Razorback athlete to win an Olympic medal
as most of Arkansas’ track success didn’t come until 1978 with the arrival of
John McDonnell.
When Arkansas was recruiting Steve Little, Coach Frank Broyles asked Scott if
Little could wear his retired No. 12. Scott graciously agreed and Little went on to
an All-American career.
NO. 77 BRANDON BURLSWORTH — (1994-98)
The athletic department did not see fit to retire another football jersey until after
the 1998 campaign, when the No. 77 worn by Razorback All-American off ensive
guard Brandon Burlsworth was retired.
One of the most inspiring stories in Razorback history, Burlsworth joined the
Razorbacks in 1994 as a walk-on. Following a redshirt year, he earned a scholarship
with his work ethic in the weight room. After serving as a backup guard for the
1995 SEC Western Division champions, he earned a starting position in the spring
of ’96 and never yielded it. He went on to start 34 consecutive games, concluding
with the Florida Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999.
Burlsworth was an All-SEC off ensive guard in 1997. In 1998 he not only earned
all-conference honors, but was named a first team All-American by The Football
News. He was the leader of an off ensive line that helped the Razorback off ense
score more points than it had since 1970 and produce more yards than it had since
the 1989 season.
In the classroom, Burlsworth was equally astounding. He earned his bachelor’s
degree in marketing management in 1997 and immediately went to work on his
master’s in business administration. In December 1998, Burlsworth completed his
master’s requirements to become the first Razorback football player to complete a
master’s degree before playing in his final game.
Burlsworth was drafted in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts, but
unfortunately would die tragically in an automobile accident less than two weeks
later. The entire state of Arkansas was stunned and head coach Houston Nutt
recommended that Burlsworth’s jersey be retired. Athletic director Frank Broyles
quickly agreed.
Burlsworth’s locker remains intact as a tribute to his memory in the Arkansas
football dressing room.
2016 RAZORBACK FOOTBALL
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