North Rock Creek’s Memphis Burdine
For Memphis Burdine, a senior at North Rock Creek High School, football is more than just a sport. It is a place where the bonds of brotherhood have molded him into an athlete, student and friend to be proud of.
“The grind builds character,” Memphis says. The best advice he has been given is that only the strong survive. Staying tough and following through to the end is something he applies to life.
The development of character does not come from always winning. Throughout life, we will all have good and bad times. Football has helped prepare Memphis for both the highs and lows. “It’s not about how many losses you take; it’s how you handle them,” he says.
His football journey began in the fourth grade when he joined a local red dirt football team. Memphis is now a wide receiver and cornerback for the Cougars. Whether he is on or off the field, being part of a team means having his “brothers” to depend on.
Memphis admirers fellow teammate and 2025 graduate, Caleb Hawkins, for taking football to the next level. “No matter what size school you’re from, you can make it to the college level,” says Memphis.
Beating Marlow in last year’s home opener was the best time for Memphis. Being on the news and all the activities leading up to the game were an exciting time he will always look back on fondly.
Memphis is proud to be an athlete at NRCHS where he can continue the tradition of excellence. “It shows that we don’t just have good individuals, we have great athletes as well.”
For student-athletes, the time spent in the classroom is important. His favorite teacher is Ms. Smith. Anatomy is his favorite subject. Understanding the human body and its functions has always fascinated him.
Memphis’s mental and physical strength may have become more developed by playing football, but he can credit much of his strength to his mother, whom he most admires. “She is the strongest person I know,” he praises. “Thank you to my mom and my sister for being my biggest supporters.”
Memphis loves the outdoors. He enjoys riding dirt bikes and spending time on the beaches of Destin, Florida, with his family.
His goals for the future include playing collegiate football and getting a degree.
