Last year, Bakersfield College’s starting quarterback, Brian Burrell, was named the starter, but broke his collarbone during a week 3 game against Antelope Valley College. That made him sit out for the rest of the season, but now that he is 100 percent he wants to help the team bounce back from a 4-6 season.
“I remember hearing it crack when I hurt it, and that it was so painful,” said Burrell. “I also remember when I was on the sidelines, they were trying to take the shoulder pads off, but they couldn’t do it because when you break your collarbone you can’t lift your arm, so they just eventually just cut my shoulder pads off.”
Burrell graduated from Bakersfield High School in 2010 and after deciding not to go to a four-year school he decided to go to BC. He then won the starting quarterback position and threw for 525 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games, but in the beginning of the second quarter of the game against Antelope Valley, Burrell hurt his collarbone when he was sacked. After Burrell was hurt, BC went 2-5 for the rest of the year.
He added that what he was most upset about was not getting to play.
“They put a plate and four pins in there, and then I had to wait for that to heal,” he said. “Then I started to do some rehab like build muscle around it. It was tough having to sit out the whole season especially when we struggled last year.
“It just motivated me and made me realize how much I want to play football and do well in football.”
He explained that when they told him what the surgery was going to consist of part of him wondered if he would be able to get past a metal detector.
“I haven’t set any off yet, but then again I haven’t been to any courts or airports so we’ll see.
“I’m so anxious to get back out there. I’ve wanted to get back out there ever since my collarbone healed up so it has been like eight months that I’ve waited to get back out there. I just want to get back out on the field and help the team to prove that we’re better than a 4-6 team and prove that were not a below average team.
“Were better as a team, it’s not just me. We’re all good friends out there and love playing together, so we’re a team and we’re really focused this year.”
BC football coach Jeff Chudy commented on Burrell’s progression, and what his return means to the team.
“Brian has worked extremely hard and he is right back on track to be as good as we have had,” said Chudy. “He is the catalyst of our football team. I think Brian is very blessed to have very good athletic skills combined with a great work ethic that you need to be a successful quarterback. Brian has a bright future. Anything is possible!”
BC is scheduled to open the season at home against Santa Ana College on Sept. 1.