He was a lineman for the University of Iowa football team before spending over three decades in government service.

John Burroughs grew up in Washington, DC, before coming to the University of Iowa.

During that time, the Hawkeyes won two Big Ten championships and two Rose Bowl games.

[4] Burroughs returned to the Department of State in 1977 as deputy assistant secretary for Equal Employment Opportunity.

Burroughs became United States ambassador to the Republic of Malawi in 1981 and served in that capacity for three years.