Burt Reynolds his spleen and injured his other knee in a bad car accident. These injuries hampered his abilities on the field, and after being beaten in coverage for the game-winning touchdown in a 7-0 loss to North Carolina State on October 12, 1957, he decided to give up football. Ending his college football career, Reynolds thought of becoming a police officer; however, his father suggested he finish college and become a parole officer. To keep up with his studies, he began taking classes at Palm Beach Junior College (PBJC) in neighboring Lake Park. In his first term at PBJC, he was
Burt Reynolds on women deserves a break." Reynolds' first big break came when he was cast alongside Darren McGavin in the lead of the TV series "Riverboat" (1959–61), playing Ben Frazer. According to a contemporary report Reynolds was considered "a double for Marlon Brando". The show went for two seasons but Reynolds quit after only 20 episodes, claiming he did not get along with McGavin or the executive producer, and that he had "a stupid part". Reynolds says then he "couldnt get a job. I didn't have a very good reputation. You just don't walk out on a network television series." Reynolds