Burney “Breaks the Rock” as UVA ends training camp

By Jerry Ratcliffe

One of the great new traditions of Virginia football, brought to the Cavaliers from strength and conditioning coach Shawn Griswold, is “Breaking the Rock.”

UVA broke fall training camp on Monday, and the traditional way of bringing it to a close was “Breaking the Rock.”

Who better to perform that honor than Uncle Burney? That’s the nickname Virginia’s players have given to sixth-year defensive end Richard Burney. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound standout from Chesapeake, was selected by his Wahoo teammates for the honor (see photo).

Surrounded by those teammates, Burney grabbed the sledgehammer and slammed it into the rock, smashing it into pieces.

One thing you have to like about the Cavaliers players is that they honor achievement. Burney is a hard worker and has developed into a leader, as evidenced by him being selected as first to choose his jersey number.

Charles Snowden, another UVA defensive leader, said it was no surprise to anyone that Burney was chosen for both honors.

“Burney’s a sixth-year and he still shows up every day, embraces the young guys,” Snowden said. “This is not an easy program and he still comes every day with his hard hat, ready to work. He’s about leadership and while he doesn’t necessarily always feel comfortable [in that role], he understands now that is what our defensive line room needs and that’s what the team needs.”

Burney is one of only two players on the team wearing a black shirt (the other is Nick Grant). The black shirt is earned in the weight room and is not easily attained.

“We call him Uncle Burney,” Snowden grinned. “He’s played on offense, defense, special teams. He’s a black shirt.”

Burney is one of the leaders on a defense that returns 17 players that have started at least one game for the Cavaliers, including most of the players who were part of a school-record 46 quarterback sacks last season.

Virginia conducted 12 fall training camp practices but still has 26 days before the Cavaliers open the season at Virginia Tech.