Where Are They Now?: Grambling’s Shawn Burras

TheDerisoReport.com continues a series of stories where we catch up with favorites from the Grambling football legacy. Today, Shawn Burras — who led the Tigers in passing over the 1990-91 seasons. (For older editions of TDR’s ‘Where Are They Now?’, scroll down to the bottom of this story. …):

Shawn Burras, who quarterbacked on some of the last truly dominant teams under the late Eddie Robinson at Grambling, has made a life out of sharing his former coach’s life lessons.

Burras returned to his West Bank roots, working in parks and recreation over the last 11 years with scores of New Orleans-area young people. The married father of three runs a rec center and playground, where he coaches football, basketball and baseball teams. He also helps lead a Jefferson parish all-star hoops team for 10-year olds.

But, as with Robinson, it’s about more than sports.

“I want introduce them to the same things that Coach Robinson did for us — not just in athletics but in becoming a man,” Burras told me. “We offer tutoring on computers, activities in the summer like camps. They volunteer, leading and participating in community events.”

Burras battled for playing time during his sophomore campaign in 1989, as Grambling won the 16th of 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships under Robinson, throwing 19 completions for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns. As a senior starter, Burras would add 126 more completions, 2,144 yards and 16 touchdowns.

It was in 1990, however, where Burras made his mark: Breaking Doug Williams’ passing yardage record as a junior, setting a new school record for total offense as a junior, and topping Southern 25-13 in the Bayou Classic before a jubilant hometown crowd at the Superdome in New Orleans.

“To win that and be in front of my community, that was special,” said Burras, a Higgins High product. “I think I had 75 or 80 people in the stands, people I grew up with.”

Burras completed 141 passes for 2,302 yards and 25 scores over the 1990 season, tops all-time by a junior until Bruce Eugene’s assault on the Grambling record books a dozen years later.

In fact, before Eugene’s sparkling run, Burras remained in the Top 5 at Grambling for career passing yardage, and in the Top 10 for individual best season in completion percentage. Burras remains amongst the 10 best ever in GSU history for career passing touchdowns, career passing completions, and for individual best season in passing touchowns.

But even during his breakout 1990 campaign, there were rugged challenges. Burras was trying to fight off the talented Alex Perkins, who eventually took over under center in 1992 and led Grambling to its final black college national championship under Robinson.

Then came homecoming in 1990, and a diastrous four-interception performance in Grambling’s eventual 37-14 loss against Alabama State.

“I draw back on this all the time (with his current players): Everything is not always going to go well in life,” Burras told me. “But then the next year, I scrambled out and got the first down that set up a field goal — and we won homecoming. The thing that you can trust and believe in is your body of work.”

Robinson assembled a team over Burras’ tenure that included national rushing leader Walter Dean, standout receivers like Jake Reed and Nate Singleton, mountainous linemen like Raymond “World” Smith and Herman Arvie, and gritty defenders like linebacker Thomas Griffin and safety Ivan Geralds.

As with most of those former teammates, Burras finds himself returning often to words of wisdom from Grambling’s coaching legend.

One word, really.

“He always said, ‘hurry,’” Burras said, chuckling. “I catch myself saying ‘hurry, hurry.’”

Burras, who played at Grambling as Robinson earned his 350th win then as he coached his 500th game, says the American legend is still a guiding force both in goalsetting for his community center — and for his own life.

“You can’t replace a guy like that,” Burras said. “A lot of guys just want the titles. Coach Rob wasn’t just a coach, but a father figure. Just being in his presence, we would tease him about being a legend. He always said none of that would be possible without our effort as players. I feel special that I played a role in his becoming a legend.”

GET IN THE GAME:
Catch up with favorites from the Grambling football legacy …
Where Are They Now?: Randy Hymes
Where Are They Now?: Frank Lewis
Where Are They Now?: Andre Bennett