Bernie Bit: Redskins will honor Bryan Burwell

Good morning from Atlanta ...

Washington Redskins VP Tony Wyllie texted late last night to inform me of the team's plans to honor late Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell at Sunday's Rams-Redskins game at FedEx Field. Washington will leave a seat in the press box empty and mark the spot with Burwell's name.

And there are plans to have a moment of silence for Burwell, who died of cancer Thursday morning at age 59.

Leaving a seat open for a fallen sportswriter may not seem like a big deal, but in our business it's considered a special honor and greatly appreciated by the scribes and broadcasters.

Because of his illness Burwell had been unable to attend the Rams' last two home games, the wins over Denver and Oakland. Bryan has an assigned seat in the Dome press box, but no sports writer or media person sat there during the last two games. We tried to keep it open as a gesture of respect to our beloved teammate.

This is a classy gesture by the Redskins. Bryan grew up near Washington D.C. and followed the team during his childhood. I know this would mean a lot to him.

I'm not surprised by the Redskins' kindness here. Wyllie worked in the Rams media-relations department for several years in the mid-late 1990s. During his time here Wyllie was a terrific professional who treated the STL sports media with respect. Wyllie was friendly with Burwell and understands the depth of love and respect that our profession has for Bryan.

On behalf of the Post-Dispatch and STLtoday sports staff, I'd like to thank Washington owner Dan Snyder, our friend Wyllie and the Redskins organization for being so thoughtful. It means a lot to us during this difficult time.

We'd also like to thank the St. Louis sports teams, especially coach Jeff Fisher and the Rams, who have been so gracious in the aftermath of Bryan's passing.

I'd suggest that the pressbox at the Edward Jones Dome be named in Burwell's honor better yet, let's wait to do it at the new St. Louis football stadium that Burwell pushed for over the past few years.

Thanks for reading ...

Bernie

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-bit-redskins-will-honor-bryan-burwell/article_29291919-48cf-59a1-bfb0-1db8d338500b.html