Randy York's N-Sider

Less than an hour after Nebraska outlasted Iowa, 13-7, to clinch its spot in Saturday’s Big Ten Conference Championship game against Wisconsin in Indianapolis, a close friend, who admits he’s emotional by nature, sent me an email from his iPhone. “I had tears in my eyes when (Rex) Burkhead scored his touchdown,” he wrote. “It had nothing to do with Nebraska and everything to do with Rex being such an amazing individual. I’m not sure where he ranks all-time as far as inspirational leaders for the Huskers, but he’s No. 1 in my book.”

My friend’s brother received the same email and agreed with the statement, and after analyzing the comment from inside out, I have come to the same conclusion. In all my years of covering and following the Huskers, I am hard-pressed to name any Husker who could be considered more inspirational than Rex Burkhead.

I decide to call Mike Babcock, another close friend who is without question the foremost historian of modern-day Nebraska football. We discuss Burkhead’s status in the grand scheme of inspirational leaders, and after a few minutes, Babcock comes up with a parallel that makes immediate sense to both of us.

“Rex reminds me of Roger Craig,” Babcock said, explaining how both compete for one simple reason – the team – and both practice and play every down in one gear and one gear only – all out.

Craig and Burkhead Selfless Superstars

Mike and I agree that Craig and Burkhead are gifted athletes, but even greater people. They are intensely determined yet totally selfless superstars in the way they prepare, the way they see the big picture, the way they compete on game day and the way they respond to adversity.

We discuss how Craig rushes for more than 1,000 yards as a junior, but moves to fullback so a junior college transfer can assume the No. 1 I-back role 30 years ago. Everyone remembers the smooth transition Mike Rozier made into a Nebraska system that hand-delivered him a Heisman Trophy a year later.

Craig finished his Husker career three yards shy of Rick Berns for No. 3 on the NU career rushing list. Craig’s injury-riddled senior season had to have been personally frustrating, but his mindset and his attitude never wavered, paving the road for an 11-year career in the NFL and three Super Bowl championship rings in which he not only was a starter, but a star.

Like Roger Craig, Rex Burkhead is a versatile performer who knows how to fight through injury, wait his turn and do his job whenever asked. Bo Pelini asked Burkhead, who had not played in the four previous games because of a knee injury, to carry the Huskers on his shoulder pads Saturday in Iowa City. On a freezing day with blustery winds up to 40 miles an hour,  Nebraska’s fifth-year head coach needed a catalyst, a spark, or as he called it, “a boost” that could help Nebraska triumph in a sixth consecutive conference game.

Special Delivery When the Crunch Was On

At halftime, Pelini needed someone who could help Nebraska transform a 7-3 deficit into situational superiority against a Hawkeye team playing for pride, respect and each other. Burkhead rose to the occasion, rushing for a team-leading 69 yards, scoring a game-winning 3-yard third-quarter touchdown and bulling his way for a pivotal mid-fourth-quarter first down from the shadows of his own 2-yard line to keep the heat on and create critical field position.

Nebraska running backs coach Ron Brown appreciates Burkhead’s multi-dimensional value. “He’s a great inside power runner,” Brown said. “He’s a relentless competitor. He’s a great pass-pro guy, receiver. He does everything well, Wildcat quarterback … he does it all.” As a junior, Burkhead played some fullback, some wide receiver, even returned punts.

It’s been difficult for Burkhead to push through an injury-plagued senior season. “But I love his attitude,” Brown said. “He’s been coaching Imani (Cross) and Braylon (Heard) and Ameer (Abdullah). He’s had his arms around those guys. He talks to the fullbacks all the time. I mean, he’s been an extra coach for us because of who he is. A lot of guys would have been sulking and pouting around, and ‘Why me?’ I think he understands that God has this set up for him this way.”

Brown has maintained all season that Burkhead would benefit from the experience. “It’s going to sharpen him,” Brown said a couple of weeks ago. “When he comes out of this thing, he’ll be better than ever. I believe that.”

Next Two Rounds Could Be Indy, Pasadena

Well maybe Saturday was Round One in the Rex Burkhead Trifecta to finish a senior season that could deliver Nebraska’s first conference championship in 13 years and result in the Huskers’ first victory ever in the Rose Bowl, the Granddaddy of all bowl games.

Burkhead missed being a part of every game and contributing on the field. He probably had some personal objectives as well. “But that all changed, and he had to realize, ‘Who am I really playing for?’” and “What is this thing really all about?’” Brown said. “I think Rex has learned a lot about leadership. And there were some things in his life that … I mean, as great of a kid as he is, you almost think of him as there are no flaws in him. But there are some areas of growth that he needed.”

One was just “how to express his leadership and how to really maximize his leadership,” Brown said. “He’s a leader by example, but he had to learn how to talk to people, too, and to speak up and to say: ‘You know what? This is what has to happen!’ Great leaders have to do both. They have to lead by example but they have to articulate themselves as well.”

Brown said Burkhead “has learned a lot about the articulation facet of leadership this year, and also about his own perseverance and the ability to just kind of hang in there.”

Burkhead Authentic in Excitement for Others

Make no mistake. Brown said Burkhead has been authentic in his excitement while watching the younger running backs develop and succeed. “If there’s anything inside of him that isn’t kind of right or he’s feeling kind of jealous or pouting around or anything, I honestly didn’t see it,” Brown said. “I think his only disappointment is, ‘Oh, I want to be out there contributing.’”

Well, guess what? Burkhead got back on the field Saturday, unexpectedly, but deservedly and definitely productively. After countless hours of watching practice, studying film and trusting his faith, he got inside a huddle, dug his cleats into the turf and powered his way through some physical defenders. Coaches wanted to give him a chance to shake off the rust, and he went well beyond that in Saturday’s second half.

If there’s one thing Rex has sharpened while missing practice after practice and game day after game day, “I think it’s his faith in the Lord,” Brown said. “I think he understands that. ‘Man, left up to me, I would be pouting around.’ But he understands that there’s something bigger than him, and this isn’t about him. Rex had been building momentum. He was on fire. He was a Heisman candidate and all this and that, and then all of a sudden, the injury. When you really think about it, he’s played well. He averaged like 9 yards a carry and had more long runs than he’s ever had. I mean, he’s gone against some good people and had good games even against Wisconsin and Ohio State. He was on the verge of having another great year.”

The knee injury changed Burkhead’s world, and sitting out has not been easy for him. But Brown believes it has helped Burkhead understand “that God has a bigger picture,” he said. “I think it’s helped him keep his poise, keep calm, grow, learn, keep improving in certain things and be as ready as he can” when opportunity intersected with availability.

Burkhead Gets Big Chance to Make His Mark

For Burkhead, last Saturday in Iowa City was Proof Point One. This Saturday in Indianapolis will be Proof Point Two. The Rose Bowl, of course, would be the capstone, and don’t be surprised if the Huskers’ next two games provide overwhelming evidence that Rex Burkhead not only is one of Nebraska’s most inspirational leaders ever, but just might lead such a list after the sun goes down on Pasadena come New Year’s Night, 2013.

Send a comment to ryork@huskers.com (Please include current residence)

Follow Randy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RandyYorkNsider

Randy’s N-Sider Blog Archive

Randy’s N-Sider Column Archive

Voices from Husker Nation

Great piece on Rex Burkhead. He will be sorely missed in Huskerland for sure, but one NFL team is going to get not only a tremendous player next season, but also a young man who will inspire others and will always put team before self. With regards, Martin Fairlie, London, England - GBR!

I just read your article about Rex. Great job … very positive and inspiring for Husker fans young and old. We can all easily carry away a lesson from what you have written about Rex and quotes from Ron Brown. I am also very pleased you didn't steer away from the Christian references made by Ron. It would have taken away from who he and Rex are. Thank you again for the uplifting and insightful article. Have an awesome day. Brad Nettleton, Norfolk and Omaha, Nebraska

Thank you for the great story on Rex. He has been an amazing young man to watch for the past several seasons, whether he has been injured or not. I would agree that he is a lot like Roger Craig! I've been a Husker fan since 1971, when I was 7-years-old, and my twin brother Ron and I needed something to focus on. Our dad had just been killed in a farm accident and our mom went back to work with my oldest sister to raise four of us (including two other older sisters). Needless to say, to stay out of trouble, we found the Cornhuskers on our radio (and TV once in awhile)! I remember Dick Perry doing the games on the radio at that time and your great writing. I continue to follow Nebraska after all of these years (as does my family)! Thanks again for what you do! Roy Conrad, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (and Nebraska transplant from Bridgeport)

I liked your article on Rex Burkhead as one of the most inspirational leaders both on and off the field. Rex sure is a class act. Living in the Bay Area of Northern California, I am very familiar with Roger Craig playing for the 49ers and Raiders back in the day. Roger has tremendous work ethic and determination much like Rex. I enjoy both class acts from Huskerland. Steve M. King, Redwood City, California

Thanks for a great article on Rex Burkhead.  I have a lot of respect for him as he continues to grow and learn. Layne Billings, Principal, Gilbert High School, Gilbert, Iowa

Graduated in 1970 and have had season tickets since 1962. Watched Bobby Reynolds to Turner Gill, and still play golf with Charlie McBride when he’s not traveling. Rex is a very special person. Bet Tom (Osborne) would have loved to coach him. John McEniry, Scottsdale, Arizona

In the future, when Husker football fans talk about National Championships, Heisman winners and the leadership/tradition Coach Tom Osborne gave the Husker football program, etc., the name Rex Burkhead will surface as the spirit of what a true student-athlete embodies in Husker football. Joseph P. Sokolovsky, Fremont, Nebraska