Brian Burns Parents: Meet Burns Sr. and Angela Burns, Who Supported the DE’s NFL Career

Brian Burns had an amazing support system to help in his journey to become a professional NFL career. While his older brother and former Panthers’ player, Stanley McClover, guided him in following his footsteps, his mother was supporting him behind the scenes. The linebacker has spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers after becoming the first-round pick in 2019.

Burns was born to parents Angela and Brian Burns Sr. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His older brother, who assumed the role of Burns’ ‘personal hype man‘ recognized his flair for football. While his father was absent, it was Angela who raised two NFL players, whom she calls the “Elephant” and “Panther.” The mother of two saw Burns play football, but the idea of the NFL never crossed her mind until her older son introduced the thought.

Angela didn’t realize Brian Burns’ football potential initially

Angela Burns never realized the potential of the football talent brimming inside Burns. With Stanley having played for the Panthers in 2006, the NFL wasn’t an unexplored territory for the Burns clan. But the space that her younger son would proclaim in the league came as a pleasant surprise to Angela.

In a talk on the Kill Cliff, she talked about seeing her young son blossom into a pro player. When asked if she saw a glimpse of a future star player in Burns during college or prior, Angela admitted she didn’t because of her limited knowledge of football. She said she simply saw her son playing the sport and knew that he was good at it. It was when McClover pointed out Burns’ potential that the idea came to her mind.

“The league really only came into play in my mind when Stanley like, “Ma, BJ gonna make it to the league,” and I was like, “Really? Okay..””

Angela explained that she wasn’t aware of the ins and outs of the game and was learning about the sport now. She called herself a “nervous mom” and said that she was initially anxious about Burns playing football, as it is a contact sport and prone to injury. But Angela trusted her sons and saw Burns get into Florida University and a step closer to achieving his NFL dream.

Angela’s most special moment: the phone call

The defensive end played for Florida University before being drafted by the Panthers. Talking about the transition from high school to university, Angela revealed that she was “concerned” as Burns was “only 218 pounds.” However, she saw him fitting in easily and leading the college team to wins. “He didn’t miss a beat,” said Angela, beaming.

Soon, Brian Burns established a reputation for himself in Florida. And next she knew, Angela was accompanying her sons to the 2019 Draft. While waiting, the Burns were intently waiting for the phone provided at the venue to ring. However, it never did. “And I think God played a trick on us,” Angela recalled the important day. “They [Carolina Panthers] didn’t call that phone; they called Brian’s phone.”

On finally getting the call, the Burns family was overjoyed. McClover’s efforts had all come to fruition, and Angela was a proud mom. Angela also expressed how it was double the happiness. Not only did Burns get drafted in the first round, but he was going to Carolina, where McClover had played in the past.

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Despite being alone in the journey and not really familiar with the sports world, Angela raised not one but two NFL players. Regarding the differences between her two sons, Angela called McClover a loud and stately “Elephant,” while Brian is as quiet and stealthy as a “Panther,” according to her. Her older son worked for football and got into Carolina in 2006, but his career was short-lived. Instead of feeling hopeless, he took on the responsibility of motivating his younger brother to succeed. Considering Burns’ 136 solo tackles, 46 sacks, and 95 assisted tackles in his five years in the league, it’s safe to say Angela and McClover were successful.