Brotherly bond: Simpson, Burleson twins share genetic connection

Many players have passed before Chris Elmore’s eyes over the course of his coaching career. He has seen flamethrowers and flameouts, studs and duds. 

But among all the pursuers of high school pigskin who have suited up for Elmore, Chelsea High School’s fifth-year head coach, few have created more confusion than a pair of senior cornerbacks on his 2017 roster. Three years after first welcoming them to his team, Elmore still struggles to differentiate between Carter and Reid Burleson, identical twins who often leave opponents — and coaches — seeing double. 

“I’m usually pretty good about this, but I’m ashamed to say I still can’t tell them apart,” said Elmore, reclining in his locker room office. “They could play a trick on me every day.”

Sometimes they do. Nearly indistinguishable except for their jersey numbers, the twins, No. 4 and No. 6,  admit to swapping in for each other during practices from time to time. 

Luckily for Elmore, Kendrick and Kenny Simpson don’t possess the same spitting resemblance. The second set of twins in Chelsea football’s senior class is fraternal, with each brother playing on opposite sides of the ball. Kendrick Simpson is a running back, Kenny Simpson a safety. 

Together with the Burlesons, the Simpsons have ascended the team’s depth chart as they’ve risen through the high school ranks. 

Now, in their final prep seasons, they’re seizing their chances to make impacts and memories. 

Their coach, who lauded the quartet’s consistent dedication, believes they’ve earned it. 

“They’ve kind of been biding their time,” said Elmore, “and waiting for their opportunity.”

The Simpsons

Growing up, one of Kendrick Simpson’s favorite books to read was titled “By My Brother’s Side,” which spotlighted the relationship shared by twins Ronde and Tiki Barber. The two played together through youth leagues, high school and college, starring at their respective positions. Ronde Barber played cornerback, and Tiki Barber played running back. Only upon entering the NFL in 1997 did their paths diverge. 

“It kind of reminds me of our relationship,” said Kendrick Simpson, “being that he’s on defense and I’m on offense. We’ve always played together.” 

The Simpsons joined their first football team in kindergarten, and they have yet to separate. Over the years, the two have pushed each other to improve. Critiques are offered without fear of rebuke, because, as both said, they know each other like they know themselves. 

“We have an unbreakable bond,” Kenny Simpson said. “We have chemistry.”

Last season, Kendrick Simpson served as the backup to starting ball carrier Zalon Reynolds, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards. Now, Kendrick Simpson is the one helping pave the way as a key staple in Chelsea’s ground game. 

Kenny Simpson played more sparingly than his brother in 2016, seeing limited action. But this season he has found a regular spot in the rotation at the Hornet safety position. The goal, he said, is to help his team go 1-0 every week. 

The winning formula starts with a pre-game rendezvous.

Before they take the field, the twins share a simple handshake. The assuring gesture communicates an alliance — forged by birth, blood and ball — that fails to waver. 

“You’re not by yourself like a lot of kids out here,” said Kendrick Simpson, standing by his brother’s side on the Chelsea football field. “It’s a blessing.” 

The Burlesons

Coaches typically call Carter and Reid Burleson one of three names: Twin 1, Twin 2 or Burleson. Any of the trio will grab the twins’ attention, as they’ve  grown accustomed to misidentification. But make no mistake, the two are easily mistaken. 

The resemblance extends past their looks and carries into their mechanics. At corner, the position they’ve both played since starting football in fourth grade, the Burlesons line up and backpedal nearly identically. 

Competition smolders as they grapple for playing time. 

“It’s like iron sharpens iron,” Carter Burleson said. “You don’t want to be the weaker twin.”

Carter Burleson started at one of the corner positions last season, while his brother saw less action. Graduations, however, opened a number of spots in the offseason. Reid Burleson capitalized on the opportunity.

He earned a role in the secondary over the summer, which has added an extra quirk to a defensive unit aided by deception. 

Confidence prevails when he steps on the field. 

“I can just look over and see my brother over there and know that we’re both going to lock it down on the outside,” Reid Burleson said. “No one’s going to get past both of us.”

That’s especially true when they’re on the same mental wavelength. The Burlesons profess to experience twin telepathy, and the Simpsons do, too. The telepathic connection ties them together, acting as an ideal bond for players with complementary skill sets. 

Reid Burleson is better at tackling, and Carter Burleson is better in coverage. Together, they maximize their joint potential. 

“I know we’ve got each other’s backs,” Reid Burleson said.