THE GREAT BURNS

Whitney chronicles the life and career of football coach Bob Burns.

The subject of this biography was dubbed the “Great Burns” by his future wife, LaVerne Drabek; this description of Bob Burns, which was intended to be mocking (LaVerne didn’t care for sports), came to be justified. Born in 1920 into a large, financially struggling Irish family in Sioux City, Iowa, Burns excelled at all he attempted—sports, the military, coaching—but success wasn’t always easily achievable. As a Sioux City Central High School fullback, Burns was “scrappy,” not a star, but at the University of South Dakota, he became a standout quarterback. Burns also earned Golden Gloves titles in boxing. He put his athletic endeavors on hold after graduating; his financial aid triggered automatic enrollment in the ROTC, and Burns fought in World War II as an officer of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Despite his lack of previous experience with either firearms or airplanes, Burns found his mental and physical toughness emerging in his war service, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. Back home, Burns married, had a family, and embarked on the coaching career that would bring him his greatest fame. He enjoyed the challenge of transforming losing teams into winners through his leadership, influencing many young athletes along the way. Whitney deftly keeps control of this narrative’s expansive cast, which encompasses a multitude of Burns’ relatives, players, and friends. There are no heroes or villains; everyone is rendered as fully human (Burns’ father was a shady, heavy-drinking chess enthusiast; his brother-in-law, Joe Siegel, was a loving husband who killed a man). Burns himself defended Black team members who were refused service in a restaurant in the 1960s, yet he told his own son after a game that he’d “played like shit.” The numerous football game descriptions threaten to become monotonous, but Whitney provides intriguing, odd glimpses into the game’s history; ultimately, it all folds into the tapestry of Burns’ life, detailing an imperfect but impressive man.

A well-researched, engaging, and moving portrait.