Tech seniors will wear Julian Burnett’s No. 40
To opposing defenses, it may have seemed that Georgia Tech linebacker Julian Burnett was everywhere.
“You go against Julian, you have to bring your ‘A’ game,” said Tech guard Omoregie Uzzi, a frequent practice-field opponent of Burnett’s.
In a salute to the Yellow Jackets star and fan favorite whose career ended with a neck injury in last December’s Sun Bowl, his former teammates will attempt to create a similar illusion. Starting Monday, when the Jackets open the season against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., players will take turns, game by game, wearing Burnett’s No. 40 jersey.
“I feel like that’s just our way, as a senior class and also as the Georgia Tech football team, to acknowledge to him that we appreciate everything you did for us, wish you could be out there with us,” quarterback Tevin Washington said.
Washington hatched the idea after last season, shortly after the team learned that Burnett’s injury would prematurely end his career. After agreeing on it with other rising seniors, Washington and others approached Burnett with the idea.
“He was like, Yeah, yeah,” Washington said. “He really liked it.”
Burnett won undying respect and admiration from teammates with his passion for the game and all-out style. Despite being one of the smallest players on the team, Burnett led Tech in tackles in 2010 and 2011. He was named a team captain last season as a junior and was selected second-team All-ACC.
“Julian was probably one of the hardest hitters that I’ve ever gone against, period,” Uzzi said. “When Julian comes downhill, you know he’s going to bring it, every single time.”
The seniors left the decision on who will wear No. 40 in which game up to coach Paul Johnson, although the coach was under the impression that it was up to the seniors when asked about it Thursday. Johnson’s only restriction was that no offensive lineman could wear it, since NCAA rules state that at least five offensive linemen must wear jerseys between 50 and 79 on each snap.
“I’m kind of disappointed about that,” Uzzi said.
Any other player, offense or defense, can wear No. 40. There is no rule against switching jersey numbers over the course of the season.
Defensive end Izaan Cross would love to trade his 94 for 40 for one game.
“’Rambo’ is a big part the team, huge part of the team,” he said.
To Washington, wearing No. 40 would be no small gesture, and he hoped to be the first.
“To even try to emulate the things Julian does on the football field, just play with that passion and that fire, I think it would mean a lot,” he said.
Practically speaking, it won’t be too difficult for equipment manager Tom Conner to handle. For each set of jerseys, he ordered a 40 in every size from medium through triple extra large. All he has to do is pull the appropriate size when he finds out who will wear it.
To Conner, Burnett was not one who needed to be in new gloves and cleats.
“That’s kind of who he is,” Conner said. “He loved to hit, and he loved to play football.”
It is fitting, perhaps, that a player who didn’t primp will be honored by a quarterback and defensive end, among others, wearing a number atypical for their positions.
“As long as they get the jersey fit in my size, I think I’ll look fine,” Washington said. “It’s more of a thing for him. I don’t care about style points.”
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
85 comments Add your comment
GTVegas
September 2nd, 2012
9:47 am
FIRST…..my first.
old tech grad
September 2nd, 2012
9:50 am
2nd.
chas_jacket
September 2nd, 2012
9:52 am
Really hope JB will be on the sidelines – assume he will be. I can’t think of a better motivation for our D to really step up in Blacksburg. Go Jackets!
old tech grad
September 2nd, 2012
9:53 am
Wish Julian was still out there. Wish him luck in the future.
Good article Ken.
Ken Sugiura
September 2nd, 2012
9:58 am
chas_jacket – i don’t think he will be.
well done, GT Vegas.
Thanks, old tech grad. i thought it was a creative gesture on his teammates’ part.
btgt69
September 2nd, 2012
9:59 am
I hope we honor JB at home opener, maybe he could lead the team on the field or ride in the Reck. THWg
GTVegas
September 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
Fitting tribute, just wish the young man could wear it himself on the field.
Anyone see that Saint Richt has now admitted to certain players suspensions, but will not say how long those suspensions are? I find that very convenient. I guess he wants to have the flexibility of adding those players when he thinks they are “needed” instead of adhering to a fixed policy. He should be saying that they are “suspended for a minimum of X games and that their status beyond that would be evaluated week to week”. From the article over on the UGA site, the suspensions should have been for four games, at least for one of them.
I just wish I would have placed a bet on Buffalo and taken the spread. I have placed my bet for GT, so I have put my money where my mouth is, or at least where my hopes lie.
btgt69
September 2nd, 2012
10:03 am
oh no,, Blacksburg weather Monday night: thunderstorms , 60% rain chance,, pray for no cancellation for lightening.
JustinSyder
September 2nd, 2012
10:34 am
I hope the weather clears up for tomorrow night. Looks like there’s supposed to be thunder storms all day.
Julian Burnett Tribute by Seniors
September 2nd, 2012
10:36 am
[...] Burnett Tribute by Seniors Pretty classy move by our guys: Tech seniors will wear Julian Burnett’s No. 40 | Georgia Tech Sounds like Tevin could be wearing the #40 Monday. Really hate to see any player get hurt…even [...]
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
10:38 am
I’m BAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKK
Who makes the decision who gets to wear #40?
I hope when O Smith wears #40 I see flash backs of Eddie Lee Ivory at Air Force in the Snow and & Ice
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
10:39 am
hi
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 2nd, 2012
10:46 am
Great leadership by Tevin to come up with this idea for JB. Perhaps he’ll be the first to sport the jersey, would be fitting.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 2nd, 2012
10:53 am
Ken – any thoughts on how weather affects the game? Unless it’s a driving rain I wouldn’t think it changes the game plan for either side. The pigskin might get slippery if it’s wet but both sides will have to deal with it…my take.
George Stein
September 2nd, 2012
11:02 am
Will He be able to live a normal life, Ken?
Also, we trippy mane!
Mike Bell 790
September 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
FIRST!!!!
Wrecker
September 2nd, 2012
11:33 am
Weather will affect the teams about evenly. Although Tech will only pass 7-12 times per game, they will pitch another 10-15 times per game, for a total of 30 chances the ball could hit the ground, about the same as the passes VPI will throw.
Paddy
September 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
A number on a uniform for an in-school student is rare. He must be a special kind of guy for that kind of honor.I like how the Tech players handled this situation. Somebody is teaching life values to these players and they are listening.
keep up the good work
September 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
an additional way to salute Julian Burnett is to
score 40 POINTS against the hokies.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
KEN !!!
If you are reading this, UOAD asked me to tell you that whatever you said you did, apparently didn’t work, and he is still banned. Can you handle that for him? Thanks !!!
Jlight
September 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
“Good Work,” I like that idea!
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
afFowifnEWIOF
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
UOAD !!!!! Welcome home
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
1:13 pm
I’m Back………LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
You HAVE been missed !!!
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
Now time to go Bush Hog for awhile…..Not like Kentucky v Louisville at 3:30 is a bug deal…….
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
1:16 pm
I will say I want to get Flashbacks of Eddie Lee Ivory against Air Force in the Snow and Ice when Big O. Smith wears #40.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
1:18 pm
Just behave yourself, UOAD. Don’t spout off too much again. lol
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
1:18 pm
Hell yeah !!!!
Not Disappointed!
September 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
I think it’s a wonderful Gesture!
Now, beat vpi.
Ramblin Wreck!
1 4 GT
September 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
What a totally COOL deal they have come up with. Apparently JB has the respect & admiration of the entire team. I hope CPJ lets TW wear #40 first and it inspires him to play so well they do score 40 on the castrated turkeys. Less that 24 hours now. Got my own tailgate going here at home. All alone. I can scream and jump and throw things all I want!! GOOOOO JACKETS THWVT THWGeorgie
1 4 GT
September 2nd, 2012
2:39 pm
I knew other schools try to things the right way in athletics with the SA’s they bring in. It is nice to know that the most storied program, that GT used to play quite often, is among their number. http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/37635910/
Augusta Buzz
September 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
UOAD, I think you meant Eddie Lee Ivery.
Dave
September 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
5150 UOAD…..1 more day and the crap starts…why not tell your buddies here, that you crossed the line yesterday and payback is comng
yeller bug
September 2nd, 2012
2:57 pm
Yep Eddie Lee got 323 yds I think, had the flu too—-ran a 70+ yd TD and then threw up on the sidelines.
Touch of class by the seniors….hope they all play like JB—110% and leave it on the field.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 2nd, 2012
3:06 pm
Julian we LOVE you and we miss you. I just hope we won’t miss you too much tomorrow if ya know what I mean.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
@ Augusta Buzz…….Augusta here too. Did you formerly post under the name Augusta Jacket, or are you somebody new? I met Augusta Jacket at the Spring Caravan. Were you there too?
1 4 GT
September 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
I believe Eddie Lee got 356 agin the USAF Falcons–w/out Google’s help.
Old man
September 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
O, crap – that blow hard UOAD is back – guess he will now have to split his time again between the UGA blog and this one – well, at least the dawgs will get a 50% less put downs from him. Any chance, Ken, that you can permanently ban him at the first sign of anything less than “staying on topic”?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
4:14 pm
@ Old man……if you don’t like UOAD, then I suggest you go elsewhere. The rest of us like him and I, for one, consider him a good friend. Your loss, if you don’t like him
230gr Full Metal Jacket
September 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
I second Super’s comment!!! Welcome back UOAD!!
cewbee
September 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
I thought Ivery got 378 against Air Force
Key is for our guys to stay focused Monday. Go Jackets!
Tech is a joke
September 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
Lovebirds back together……..how sweet
Go Hokies!!
gt40pinhd
September 2nd, 2012
5:14 pm
i hate being third but me too: go uoad! bye, bye old man.
ken, is julian still on scholarship? has he graduated or what?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
Leave it to a perverted dwag to find sex in anything. I guess he ain’t gettin’ any at home…..po thang
just asking
September 2nd, 2012
5:42 pm
what time did the team make it into Hicksville? No word on ramblinwreck
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
5:44 pm
I thought they flew up yesterday. Not sure
Tech is a joke
September 2nd, 2012
5:51 pm
Supersize
Shows how dumb you are. Did I say I’m a dawg fan. What a inbred idiot you are !!!!
Old man
September 2nd, 2012
5:56 pm
C’mon, Ken – are you gonna let Super talk like that? Plus, no tmany on hee like UOAD (except those that have already said so) – but if Super gets away with that stuff then your punishment of UOAD goes for naught.
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:03 pm
I just spent a few hours Bush Hogging………..
For you not so smart or young guys that don’t mean I was having sex with a lady that don’t know what a Razor or Waxing is. I was not hitting it with a 70’s porn star. I was driving a tractor cutting grass on a Farm.
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:07 pm
Lee R.
September 2nd, 2012
6:08 pm
Wow this board really is dramatic, dawgs need to stay on the UGA blog, GT fans need to stay here unless you want to talk football orderly with each other, idk why we have grown men acting like a bunch of little 15 year old girls.
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:08 pm
OH OH OH 1st on the second page…….
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:17 pm
The team left just a few hours ago for VPI.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:19 pm
joke……I would say you are certainly not a Tech fan, so who else trolls these blogs except dwags. And regardless of what school you are from, you are still obviously a pervert
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:21 pm
@ Old man…..just how have I talked that would merit some kind of action by Ken. joke is the one who tried to turn friendship into something sexual. And as far as who likes UOAD, I can ASSURE you that the only ones on the TECH blogs who do not like UOAD are WnE and trolls like you.
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:21 pm
Anybody watch the Louisville v Kentucky game?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:22 pm
I had it on earlier, UOAD. Is it over now?
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:22 pm
Dawg 48 if you are out there I have my Danica Thong on!!!!!!!!The race is about to start………..
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Louisville 32-14 Kentucky I just heard on the radio.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:24 pm
@ UOAD…..be careful making a post like that. Dawg48 will know what you mean, but the trolls (like joke) will try to turn it into something you didn’t mean.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:24 pm
another “quality” UGA opponent (HA!!!) goes down to defeat, and not to another SEC team
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:25 pm
Well………….SUPER there are a few that are not my biggest fans but that is OK. I may have some game tickets to give this year….You know why. I will keep you informed.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
UOAD, I probably won’t need any, but GT Lee might….and a few others as well
brick
September 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Sorry to have to read about this Jackets, not being real familier with your players I hope he is able to live a full life after this. Very nice gesture by his teammates to honor him this way. I am not sure about the rule of a player changing jerseys during a game, but if the OL could wear in on a kickoff return and go back to his normal number it would be a fitting ending to the story. Even if its against the rules it might be worth 5 yards to do it anyway.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:27 pm
UOAD, I have my share of enemies on here too, but they are all either WnE or bona fide dwag trolls. You and I both get along fine with most of the REAL UGA fans, just not the sidewalk trolls
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
@ brick…..that sounds cool too, but one player per game is good enough
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
Uzzi and Cross will play great. I look for Laskey to get some nice yards too. Tony Z might make the cuts fast and hard in the wet to ankle break VPI players if T Washing makes the good pitch.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:36 pm
Just hope there’s no lighting storm this time
ole yeller
September 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
Wow, seems like old times with UOAD back and a new season ahead. Go you hairy jackets!!
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
Hey, ole yeller. Good to see you here too.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
OK…..gotta get some dinner here. Talk to you guys later.
GO JACKETS !!!!
WnE
September 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
In order to honor a fine young SA like Julian I’d rather our Team go out and avg. 40 points per game in vs. ACC opponents and then make sure we score at least 40 vs. Muttville.
I think that would honor Julian much more than some other player wearing his number, imagine how goofy TW is gonna look playing QB in 2012 and wearing a #40 Jersey.
How about the Defense make a pledge to accumulate 40 sacks this season to honor Julian, and when the 40th sack is recorded, regardless of what game it comes in, then the entire defense that is on the field just starts a celebratory “dance” like a certain school did vs. Florida when they scored on them, forget about the 15 yards, if we hit 40 sacks and avg. 40 points per game at that point 15 yards will be moot.
That’s how you really honor a fallen #40…………….WnE style!
FL Jacket
September 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
WnE seems well-versed in UGA celebrations.,.
GTGirl
September 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
WnE-you have a good idea in addition to a different player wearing Julian’s jersey each week.
Go Jackets!
gt40pinhd
September 2nd, 2012
9:37 pm
wow, finally i agree with wne…..oops, gotta take my temperature or something!
Ken Sugiura
September 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
late to answer questions, but i think julian is fine so long as he doesn’t play football. he’s on medical scholarship. i was told he’s on track to graduate, either in the spring or summer.
1 4 GT
September 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
gt40pinhd….I’m afraid that in case, to get a valid temp for this malady, you’ll require a large back door thermometer.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
Great to hear Ken. Julian will be just fine in the game of life as long as he attacks it the same way he did ball carriers.
GTVegas
September 2nd, 2012
9:58 pm
Glad to hear he’s on track to graduate, young man has sensible priorities.
As for WnE, like the suggestions and glad to see you did not spin this as an anti-CPJ ad like you usually do.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
People agreeing with WnE?! I stopped reading his posts weeks ago. Too long and depressing. Sorry WnE, you get no credit in my book.
Barnes likely first to wear No. 40 for Tech | Georgia Tech
September 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
[...] Tech seniors to wear Julian Burnett’s 40 [...]
Big Crimson 75
September 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
WnE — good ideas except the celebratory “dance”.
That sounds kinda “fishy” to me — hahahaha.
You’re dwags need to tighten up!!
Tokyo jacket
September 3rd, 2012
8:22 am
Hope to see some of you guys at the game…I’m about 6′9″ 250, hard to miss.
CLaire
September 3rd, 2012
3:57 pm
I am going to the game in a little while. I shall look for #40. Very nice gesture, however, Hokies are going to rule.