AJ Maloy honored with Burlsworth Character Award

Charles City senior becomes second Comet football player recipient

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — It wasn’t exactly a “gotcha” question, but it was a tough one to answer for AJ Maloy.

With his high school athletic career over with the conclusion of the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament, the Charles City senior was asked what memory sticks out during his tenure as a Comet.

After a minute of pondering, Maloy came up with this …

“The brotherhood,” he said. “It’s the brotherhood I hold with my teammates. It’s just like family.”

Within this family, Maloy fell into the role of “Big Brother” while setting an example for younger siblings to follow.

A two-way starter for the Comets’ football team, Maloy was named a Class 3A District first-team offensive lineman as well as the team’s co-MVP. More recently, Maloy was named Academic All-State in football.

During the subsequent wrestling season, Maloy recorded his 50th pin and 100th win of his career on way to returning to the State Wrestling Tournament as a 220-pound qualifier. Though Maloy picked up a victory at state, he came up short of reaching the awards stand by way of a top eight finish.

“When I came back, I found out I had mono,” Maloy said. “It was a bittersweet ending, but I still have some unfinished business.”

That could either be in wrestling or football or both.

Maloy is undecided on where to continue his student-athletic career. If he goes to Wartburg College in Waverly, he will likely play football. If he decides on Loras College in Dubuque or Upper Iowa University in Fayette, he will likely wrestle.

“I know it’s getting late,” Maloy said. “I plan to make my decision by the end of the month.”

Charles City football coach Darren Bohlen had to make a decision, too … of whom to nominate for the Brandon Burlsworth Character Award.

“There were several players on our team I thought worthy to be nominated for the award,” Bohlen said, “but I could only nominate one, and AJ stood out.”

The character award is named after Burlsworth, an unheralded walk-on at Arkansas who eventually became an All-American lineman and 1999 Indianapolis Colts draft pick. Eleven days after he was drafted and was projected to start as a rookie, Burlsworth died in an automobile accident.

The original Burlsworth award honors the top walk-on Division 1 player in the country at the end of the college football regular season. A little more than a decade ago, the Burlsworth Character Award was conceived to honor exemplary Arkansas high school football players.

Three years ago, the BCA was expanded to include high school players from other states.

Last season, 2016 Charles City graduate Brody Tupy became the first Comet recipient. Maloy is the second.

“What can I say? AJ’s a high-character kid,” Bohlen said. “He’s a great leader. He works hard and he never complains even when the going gets tough.”

Whatever path he decides to take in regards to college and athletics, Maloy plans to study business administration with a focus on finance.

“I know I’m going to miss a lot of people I grew up with around here,” Maloy said, “but I’m ready for the next level.”