Austin Jones 49
Austin Jones graduated from the University of Arkansas in December of 2013, but his achievements are still remembered by faculty and football fans. The Razorback middle linebacker was honored at halftime of Arkansas’ 17-0 victory over LSU to receive the Brandon Burlsworth Memorial Scholarship Award.
Burlsworth, a former Razorback player killed in a tragic car accident in 1999, began his football career as a walk-on but earned a scholarship and then a starting position. He became an All-American and went on to be drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. More than 250 scholarships with a value of more than $1.3 million have been awarded in Burlsworth’s honor, and each year, one player who began as a walk-on, then earned a football scholarship, is singled out to be named the year’s Burlsworth Athletic Scholar. Parents Lauren and Brian Jones and grandmother Carol Johnson were on hand for the big presentation.
“We are very proud of him,” Brian told me. “We are happy that his tenacity and hard work have been recognized.”
Today, Austin is using his B.A. in journalism, advertising and public relations as an account executive at KNWA-TV, the NBC affiliate in Fayetteville/Ft. Smith.
Congratulations, Austin.
Austin Jones
