Bobby Clell Burnett

Bobby Clell Burnett passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2016. He was born January 4, 1943 in Clinton, Arkansas to Clell and Frances Burnett. He was the oldest of 3 children, with 2 brothers, Tommy and Billy. Bobby married Dorothy Letsch on July 12, 1965 and were happily married for 51 years. They raised 4 children together: Chad, Deana, Randy, and Shane. They also had 12 grandchildren. Bobby was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had a strong testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bobby Burnett graduated from Smackover High School in Smackover, Arkansas. He played tailback for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1963-65. In 1965, he was selected as All-SWC, led the conference in touchdowns, set a Razorback single season record of 16 touchdowns, received the Charles T. Myers award as his team’s Most Valuable Player, led the SWC in rushing, carrying the ball 232 times for 947 yards and 16 touchdown’s without a fumble, and ranked in the top 5 nationally in a number of categories. He scored the winning touchdown in the 1965 Cotton Bowl against Nebraska that gave Arkansas it’s only national championship; with that feat being named by Sports Illustrated a few years ago as the most memorable moment in Arkansas’ Sport history. Bobby scored 2 touchdowns in the Senior Bowl before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills. He signed with the Bills, with Jack Kemp at quarterback, and Marty Schotenheimer at linebacker. Bobby was selected as the AFL’s “Rookie of the Year” in 1966. He was also selected as All-Pro and scored twice in the Pro Bowl, while being selected as the Bill’s Most Valuable Player for 1966. After his career with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos, he completed his Master’s degree in Education and became co-owner of the largest single-office real estate business in the state of Colorado, employing over 500 agents. He has been inducted into the State of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame twice; as an individual in 1997, and as a member of the 1964 Razorback National Champion Team in 2010.

He will be forever remembered as an amazing athlete, father, grandfather, husband, friend, and inspiration to all who knew him.