Hall of Fame quarterback Henry Burris is back in Calgary. Burris spent nine seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, and now Smilin’ Hank is back on the turf at McMahon Stadium. He’s not here with the Stamps – he’s serving as a guest coach with the University of Calgary Dinos. Burris says it’s great to give back. “This is something I couldn’t hesitate to do, especially in the city of Calgary – a place that helped me get in the position that I am in today, and I’m awfully thankful for it.” Knows Dinos coach well Burris was familiar with Ryan Sheahan, head coach of the Dinos football program, from their days with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He says he didn’t hesitate when he got the call to help. “It’s been a blessing to get to know him,” Burris said. “To have a chance to come up here and continue to help give back to the game is what it’s all about.” Working with the quarterbacks Burris has a wealth of coaching experience. He spent time in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams. In college, he was the co-offensive coordinator at Florida A&M University. That’s where he first met Dino’s starting quarterback David Jordan. Burris recruited him and suggested he head north and try his hand at the Canadian game. ‘Just amazing’ Jordan says he loves being reunited with Burris. “Just picking a Hall of Famer’s mind is just amazing,” he said. “(I’m) really starting to pick at him and understand that this game does go beyond life, so I’m grateful.” Burris is here to help make Jordan and the other quarterbacks better players. He says Jordan still needs work, but he’s come a long way. “I’m a guy who knows him well, a guy who can get after him about some of the little faults that he had when we worked together in the past,” Burris said. “But (I also see) the strides that he’s made and (am) his biggest cheerleader in these moments as well.” Dinos training camp runs through to Aug. 28.
