Calgary Herald from Calgary, Alberta, Canada • 4

THE CALGARY HERALD A1S The last hurrah for a ghost of autumn past team was staying in as Holiday Inn. I went cause he was always right there blocking in chance to play when Detroit asked Calgary to By Murray Rauw shopping, and when I got back, there were these white notes in some of the mail boxes. I knew what was up. My chances of making it were 50-50, so I went to get my playbook. I'd just seen our coach.

Rick Forzano, when Rogers Lehew (Detroit's assistant general manager) grabbed my arm and said Tve got a place for front of me. Burden retires with 6,238 yards rushing, third on the all-time Stamps' list behind Earl Lunsford and Lovell Coleman, and he caught 298 passes, fourth best in Stamps' history. With the trend to passing, the single-season rushing record seems safe for yeais to come. Teamwork has always placed ahead of stats. In college, he shared duties with three others Charles Young, Stan Fritz and Roland Hooks.

All were NFL choices in either 1974 or 75, and Hooks is still playing with Buffalo. "Everyone helped each other," said Burden. "We were taught it was a team game. We were like a family." Detroit Lions of the National League made Burden their sixth-round draft pick in 1974. But he was a late training-camp cut.

"We'd just broken camp in Pontiac, and the release him if they werent going to use him. Forzano had been fired and the Lions wanted Burden back. The rest is history, and as Burden looks back, he has few regrets. Although he never liked Detroit as a city, failing to accomplish what he set out to do with the Lions ranks as a disappointment. And he shares the sorrow of watching many teammates and friends forced out of the game, often before they had prepared themselves for it.

how it's his turn, but he goes out with the ultimate tribute a player can receive a day of his own. "It's going to be a very humbling experience," said Burden. "It means I've touched people. I hear people saying all these nice things about me. It's as if I'm dead, but still walking." Burden has few regrets Burden was in Calgary within a week, but remembers that coach Jim Wood wasn't easily impressed and Burden wasn't added to the roster for three weeks.

"Woods had a back named Don Willingham. He wanted to replace him, but not necessarily with me," recalled Burden, who finally got the Willie Burden Sykes losing a leader (Herald staff writer) It's always difficult, but you just know Willie Burden will find the right way to say goodbye. After eight professional seasons with Calgary Stampeders. Burden makes a clean break Sunday at Willie Burden Day at McMahon Stadium. He will be honored at halftime of the pre-season game with Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"My retirement is not something that happened overnight," said the 30y ear-old Burden. "I don't think any player should think that, as a 50-year-old man, he will be doing the things he does when he's 25. And the fact I've been able to prepare for another career is one of the great parts of the Canadian Football League. It's something I hope never changes." Though he announced his retirement last year, he's had one final fling with the Stamps, serving as a guest coach at training camp. He returns Monday Raleigh, N.C., where he is assistant to the athletic director at his alma mater.

North Carolina State. He leaves behind a city full of friends. The feeling is mutual. "I've liked this city since the first day I stepped on the practice field," Burden said Friday. 'It's been different without him as a player this year," said James Sykes, Burden's partner in the backfield since 1978.

"I can't imagine how it will feel after he's gone. I realize I'm a better player because of him." Took Calgary by storm Burden took Calgary by storm in 1974 and set a CFL single-season rushing record of 1896 yards in 1975 when he won the Schenley Award as the league's most outstanding player. The appearance of Burden's mother at McMahon the day he set the single-season rushing record is still "the most surprising day of my life." It wasn't until Sykes arrived that it became clear what a genuine person Burden really was. As Sykes took over as the prime ball carrier, everyone waited for an angry outburst from Burden, who was relegated to the less-glamorous role of blocking back. But there was never as much as a whimper of complaint.

"Actually, I was more successful because of Sykes," said Burden. "It added years to my career because I didn't get crunched as often. "Besides, I got my share of the glory. I remember Rick Galbos, who was a running back with Calgary in 1975 when I set the record. If I ran for 1,900 yards, then he ran for more, be only the money," he said.

'1 makes for a better feeling and that's very important especially after last year." MINUTE FLAG: Gerry Dattilio is expected to earn his second consecutive start at quarterback, while Bruce Threadgill should be ready to see action in relief. Jeff Knapple is still having problems, making him doubtful Ed McAle-ney was graded best among defensive linemen in the Winnipeg game, while George Small was second best Expect the Stamps to run the ball more often than Sunday. Against Winnipeg, the ground game was restricted to seven plays, but Saskatchewan uses the 3-4 defence and Gotta needs to see his running attack before he cuts the roster. James Sykes mhh mm umi Twiaii iiiw Mnmi miiiiin mffjuTttiBiwirTrim James Sykes would like to play Sunday's Canadian Football League pre-season game in the Willie Burden tradition. That means carrying the ball 20 times, catching a few passes coming out of the backfield and playing a significant role blocking for Calgary Stampeders.

But Sykes is resigned to the fact a hamstring pull will limit his activities in the 2 p.m. encounter against Saskatchewan Roughriders at McMahon Stadium. "The injury is worse than I thought," said Sykes, patting an ice-pack applied to the tender leg. "I wanted to participate. Now, I want to run two plays for Burden, then watch what's happening." Burden, who has become one of the all-time great Stamps during an eight-year career, ends a short term as guest coach Sunday.

For Sykes, he's losing a coach, who has been here since his rookie year of 1978. "I think Willie's taught me everything he could," said Sykes. "But he's been great for the young guys. He could be a great influer. on them if they were listening to what he was saying." Both Sykes and coach-general manager Jack Gotta recollected how Burden contributed to the team with leadership qualities as well as on-field abilities.

"In every capacity he has served the team, he's been outstanding," said Gotta. "And, I feel whatever role he assumes in the future will be successful." As the praises of Burden kept rolling in. it was learned he had exceptional talents other than in athletics. "He's a super cartoonist," said Gotta. '1 wish I would have polaroids.

He had a real pulse of all the members of the club, and everyday had something hanging up on the board." Sykes also noted that honoring Burden should create a positive effect on the team. "The players will see the organization appreciates players doing things for the team, not King back NEW YORK (AP) Clyde King was reinstalled Friday as New York Yankees' pitching coach, replacing Stan Williams. King, 57, began his first stint as pitching coach for the American League baseball team in 1979. EXTENDED HOCKEY SCHOOL Due to extra demands Brian Sutter's Sylvan Lake Hockey camp has opened its second goalie school July 9, 10, 11 instructed by Gord Garbutt of the Edmonton Oilers. 1 week sessions still available for all positions (ask about special rates for goalies).

Adults can enjoy camping, fishing, golfing, tennis, giant water slide and swimming, while the kids play. Calk 887-2200 or 887-5338 evenings Esks get bad breaks EDMONTON (CP) Edmonton Eskimos were hit hard by injuries in Thursday against B.C. Lions in Vancouver. Running back Jim Germany suffered a broken leg and slotback Marco Cyncar broke his collarbone in the Canadian Football League exhibition game. Both are out indefinitely.

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