In 1976, Rick Burleson had a decision to make: join the Kansas City Chiefs or go to law school. Burleson, defensive end for the University of Texas Longhorns at the time, was a sixth-round draft pick for the pro football team during his senior year in college.

When it came time to make the decision, it didn’t hinge on the Chiefs’ lackluster 5-9 season that year. After playing the crushing sport of college football Texas-style, Burleson was ready to use more of his head and less of his brawn.