Keenan Burton

Keenan Burton (born October 29, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Burton attended DuPont Manual Magnet High School in Louisville, Kentucky and was a letterman in football for the Crimsons. At the school he played many positions from quarterback to safety. He started the last three of his four seasons with the team, lining up mostly at quarterback on offense, although he did see some action as a receiver, running back, and kick returner. He helped the school attend four Class-AAAA State Playoffs. Burton carried the ball 274 times for 1,634 yards (6.0-yard average) and 25 touchdowns during his career. He completed 81 of 226 passes (35.8%) for 1,605 yards and 17 scores. He also recorded 98 tackles, along with 30 pass deflections and 10 interceptions, returning two of those picks for touchdowns, adding another score on a punt return. Burton was named the MVP of the Kentucky/Tennessee High School All-Star game in 2003.

Burton attended college at the University of Kentucky and participated in their football program while attending the school for a degree in Agricultural communications. Burton turned down offers from Northwestern University, Indiana University, Marshall University, University of Louisville, Miami University (Ohio) and Boston College.

During his tenure on the football team in the 2004 and 2005 seasons, he only played in 8 games. Prior to the 2004 season opener, Burton suffered a left wrist fracture and played in the first game before being sidelined by the coaching staff. In 2005, he suffered a foot injury that resulted in two surgeries.

Burton played in 45 games total in his career at Kentucky as a wide receiver and kick returner. He ranks fourth in school history in receptions, third in receiving yards, second in touchdowns, and third in all purpose yards, and was the fifth player to amass over 4,000 all purpose yards.

In 2006, Keenan flourished since he was not plagued with injuries for the first time since 2003. Burton led the Wildcats with 77 receptions for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Wildcats in kick returns, averaging 24.7 yards per return. He had one kickoff return for a touchdown in the team's season opener in Louisville. In his kick returning duties he ranked second in the SEC. He was the third player ever in the school's history to record over 1,000 yards receiving in a single season and his 12 touchdowns ranked 2nd on the single season chart for the school.

The team played in the Music City Bowl and Burton caught only 5 passes for 30 yards in the game. However, Kentucky went on to win the game.

Burton began his senior season with the Wildcats strong. In the first five games of the season he compiled 422 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. However, struck by flu-like symptoms and sprains in the knee and ankle, his playing time was limited. He still managed to be second on the team for the season in receiving with 685 yards and 9 touchdowns.