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UT Sports Information
"It's been fun through everything: the winning, the losing, the overtimes, the championship opportunities, the blood, the sweat and the tears. Through it all, I have had nothing but fun. I will take a lifetime of memories from this four-year experience --memories of the people I've met, the friends
I've made and the ongoing relationships.
"Throughout my career here at Tennessee, I have had time to mature and grow as a man. Through playing for championships, graduating, and winning a good share of ballgames, I have accomplished almost everything a student-athlete can dream of. Being elected a team captain and placed in a leadership role for the University of Tennessee is one of my greatest accomplishments. None of this would have been possible without my God-given talent, which I am so thankful for. I also am thankful for the many people who have helped me and helped make my time at Tennessee as special as it has been: my coaches -- not just at Tennessee but throughout my playing days -- my family, my friends and my teammates.
"I would like to thank all of these people for their continued support, but especially thank my family. My mother, father, grandmother and other family members have always given me their unconditional love and best wishes. From the very beginning, my family has made it clear that this decision
would be mine and mine alone. After a lot of consideration, thought and prayer, I have decided to continue my football career at the University of Tennessee.
"As for next year's team, we will have to build on a 10-3 season. We're returning a lot of players with a lot of playing experience, and we definitely have a lot to look forward to. The opportunity to be a
two-year captain definitely will be a great honor and I am excited about the opportunities I have as a member of my team, but also the opportunity to be around the University of Tennessee for another year.
"Thank you to my fans and to everyone who has supported me over the years. I really love being a Volunteer. Go Big Orange!"
COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER: "We're just elated for the positive news for our football team and the Tennessee football family. I'm certainly appreciative of Kevin's confidence in us and look forward to his leadership and play again this season.
"I'm also really excited about what he's accomplished as a student at Tennessee. I see that as being everything positive about the college experience when you look at the opportunity he has to continue in school
and improve himself.
"In my opinion, he has a chance to be one of the first-round guys for the upcoming season."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Elected as a team captain for the 2003 season and was a second team All-SEC pick by the league coaches last month. Burnett and teammate Michael Munoz were the first juniors to serve as Tennessee captains since All-America guard Bob Doblestein in 1944. Has a knack for delivering momentum-changing plays. Finished this season ranked fourth on the team with 90 tackles after missing almost the entire 2002 with a
knee injury. Had at least six tackles in a game 10 times, and the Carson, Calif., native tied his career game high this year with 11 tackles vs. Duke (also had 11 at Notre Dame in 2001). Burnett, who turned 21 on Dec. 24, will earn his second consecutive Academic All-SEC selection when the 2003
team is announced and he completed his sport management undergraduate degree in May. Also was named to the 2003 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.
"It's been fun through everything: the winning, the losing, the overtimes, the championship opportunities, the blood, the sweat and the tears. Through it all, I have had nothing but fun. I will take a lifetime of memories from this four-year experience --memories of the people I've met, the friends
I've made and the ongoing relationships.
"Throughout my career here at Tennessee, I have had time to mature and grow as a man. Through playing for championships, graduating, and winning a good share of ballgames, I have accomplished almost everything a student-athlete can dream of. Being elected a team captain and placed in a leadership role for the University of Tennessee is one of my greatest accomplishments. None of this would have been possible without my God-given talent, which I am so thankful for. I also am thankful for the many people who have helped me and helped make my time at Tennessee as special as it has been: my coaches -- not just at Tennessee but throughout my playing days -- my family, my friends and my teammates.
"I would like to thank all of these people for their continued support, but especially thank my family. My mother, father, grandmother and other family members have always given me their unconditional love and best wishes. From the very beginning, my family has made it clear that this decision
would be mine and mine alone. After a lot of consideration, thought and prayer, I have decided to continue my football career at the University of Tennessee.
"As for next year's team, we will have to build on a 10-3 season. We're returning a lot of players with a lot of playing experience, and we definitely have a lot to look forward to. The opportunity to be a
two-year captain definitely will be a great honor and I am excited about the opportunities I have as a member of my team, but also the opportunity to be around the University of Tennessee for another year.
"Thank you to my fans and to everyone who has supported me over the years. I really love being a Volunteer. Go Big Orange!"
COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER: "We're just elated for the positive news for our football team and the Tennessee football family. I'm certainly appreciative of Kevin's confidence in us and look forward to his leadership and play again this season.
"I'm also really excited about what he's accomplished as a student at Tennessee. I see that as being everything positive about the college experience when you look at the opportunity he has to continue in school
and improve himself.
"In my opinion, he has a chance to be one of the first-round guys for the upcoming season."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Elected as a team captain for the 2003 season and was a second team All-SEC pick by the league coaches last month. Burnett and teammate Michael Munoz were the first juniors to serve as Tennessee captains since All-America guard Bob Doblestein in 1944. Has a knack for delivering momentum-changing plays. Finished this season ranked fourth on the team with 90 tackles after missing almost the entire 2002 with a
knee injury. Had at least six tackles in a game 10 times, and the Carson, Calif., native tied his career game high this year with 11 tackles vs. Duke (also had 11 at Notre Dame in 2001). Burnett, who turned 21 on Dec. 24, will earn his second consecutive Academic All-SEC selection when the 2003
team is announced and he completed his sport management undergraduate degree in May. Also was named to the 2003 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.
