PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is a post-season award that recognizes the sacrifices made by walk-on FBS college football players. The sweat and perseverance showed by those who had to pay their own way and scrap for every opportunity.
This year’s Burlsworth Trophy winner is Pitt senior center Jimmy Morrissey.
“It’s been a goal of mine ever since being a freshman to win this award,” Morrissey said Monday. “To win this award and cap it off with this is like a cherry on top.”
“It was emotional for me because of how much work I put in. I’m very passionate about the game of football. It meant a lot to win this award. I’m happy I will have it with me the rest of my life.”
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin, Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow are among the previous winners.
Morrissey said it was tough in high school when friends where he grew up in Philadelphia were getting offers and he didn’t get any. No one thought he was good enough.
“I’m happy that I was a walk on and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world,” Morrissey said. “The journey that I’ve been on, I’ve loved it. It’s been tough but it’s been extremely rewarding. I’ve loved everything I’ve learned along the way and the way it shaped my character.”
“There was a lot of built up disappointment coming out of high school that I put into my body of work. I can say that being a walk on has helped me be a better football player and a better man. I’ve learned lessons being a walk-on that I will take with me the rest of my life.”
He would become a three-time All-ACC player and is now preparing for the NFL Draft. However, when Morrissey came to Pitt in 2016. He had to prove himself every day.
“You know you have to do everything so much better than a scholarship kid,” Morrissey said. “Even though everyone is treated the same at Pitt, there are those preconceived notions about walk-ons. There’s a reason why we didn’t offer this kid. There’s a reason why this kid is playing for school. It’s because he’s not as good as that other guy. You always have that in the back of your head.”
“When I was a freshman, everything I did whether it was going out, deciding to stay in, doing the right things on or off the field. I always had that in the back of my head that one slip up and I’m out of here. I have to be this much better than the kids in my class on scholarship.”
“The difficult part about being a walk-on is what limits you set for yourself. What expectations and how disciplined you can be as a person.”
Accepting the award, Morrissey at times was at a loss for words. He did manage to remember an influential saying and two influential people.
‘The harder you work, the luckier you get’. That’s a motto from Pitt Offensive Line Coach Dave Borbely.
Morrissey also reflected where it all began.
“My dad is my biggest role model,” Morrissey said. “I look up to my mom so much. She is the sweetest, most caring lady you will ever meet. When those 128 FBS teams replied back telling me I’m not good enough, they told me I was.”
“I love them to death and I hope I can be like them.”