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Ken Burrough
Ken Burrough
Ken Burrough
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Kenneth Othell Burrough (July 14, 1948 – February 24, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Southern Tigers and was named second-team All-American in 1969.[1]

Key Information

He was a track star and played as a quarterback at William M. Raines High School.[2] He is one of four players in the NFL to have worn jersey number 00, the others being Jim Otto, Johnny Clement and Steve Bagarus.

Career

[edit]

Burrough was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round (10th overall) of the 1970 NFL draft.[3] He missed much playing time his first season due to minor injuries, catching only 13 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. In January 1971, Burrough and fellow Saint player Dave Rowe were traded to the Oilers in exchange for Hoyle Granger, Terry Stoepel, Charles Blossom, and a draft choice to be named later.[4]

Burrough played eleven seasons with the Oilers, from 1971 through 1981. In 1975, Burrough was selected to the Pro Bowl, leading all NFL wide receivers with 1,063 receiving yards, the only receiver to gain more than a thousand yards for the season. He scored eight touchdowns that year, and averaged 20.1 yards per reception. In his book, More Distant Memories: Pro Football's Best Ever Players of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Danny Jones wrote that Burrough was "one of the most dangerous game breakers in the NFL along with Cliff Branch (Raiders), Mel Gray (Cardinals), and O. J. Simpson (Bills)." Six of Burrough's eight touchdowns were of 50 or greater yards. In a week thirteen game against the playoff-bound Raiders, Burrough caught four passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including a screen pass from quarterback Dan Pastorini which he turned into a 68-yard touchdown with his open field running skills.[5]

Burrough was also selected to the Pro Bowl in 1977. The Oilers won post-season games in the 1978 and 1979 seasons, making it to the AFC Championship both years, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Burrough was the last of three NFL players to ever wear the number 00 on his jersey. The league restricted all numbers to between 1 and 89 in 1973 (later expanded to 1 and 99 in 1987), but Burrough and Oakland Raiders' center Jim Otto, both of whom wore 00 at the time, were covered under a grandfather clause for the rest of their careers.[6] Steve Bagarus, the earliest player to use 00, had already retired after the 1948 NFL season.

Burrough has the third most receiving yards in Oilers/Titans history with 6,906 and tied for third in receiving touchdowns with 47. He ranks 85th on NFL All-Time Yards per Reception List with 16.9 yards per pass reception.

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1970 NOR 12 0 13 196 15.1 35 2
1971 HOU 13 0 25 370 14.8 62 1
1972 HOU 14 11 26 521 20.0 80 4
1973 HOU 14 12 43 577 13.4 49 2
1974 HOU 11 11 36 492 13.7 51 2
1975 HOU 14 14 53 1,063 20.1 77 8
1976 HOU 14 14 51 932 18.3 69 7
1977 HOU 14 14 43 816 19.0 85 8
1978 HOU 16 16 47 624 13.3 44 2
1979 HOU 16 16 40 752 18.8 55 6
1980 HOU 2 0 4 91 22.8 54 0
1981 HOU 16 16 40 668 16.7 71 7
156 124 421 7,102 16.9 85 49

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1978 HOU 3 3 9 194 21.6 71 1
1979 HOU 3 2 0 0 0.0 0 0
6 5 9 194 21.6 71 1

Later life and death

[edit]

In 2016, Burrough was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.[1]

Burrough died in Jacksonville, Florida, on February 24, 2022, at the age of 73.[7]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ken Burrough

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from Grokipedia
Kenneth Othell Burrough (July 14, 1948 – February 24, 2022) was an American professional football wide receiver who played twelve seasons in the (NFL), primarily for the , earning two selections and becoming the last player to wear jersey number 00. Born and raised in , Burrough starred at before excelling in football and track at , where he was later inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Selected tenth overall in the first round of the by the out of Texas Southern, Burrough appeared in twelve games as a , recording 13 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns before being traded to the prior to the season. Over the next eleven years with the Oilers—now known as the —he established himself as a key offensive weapon during the team's "Luv Ya Blue" era, helping lead Houston to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 1978 and 1979. Burrough's career statistics include 421 receptions for 7,102 yards and 49 receiving touchdowns across 156 games, with his 1975 season standing out as he led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,063 on 53 catches, earning his first nod that year and a second in 1977 along with Second-Team honors. At the time of his retirement in 1981, he was the Oilers franchise leader in receiving yards with 6,906 and ranked second in receiving touchdowns with 47, marks that reflect his enduring legacy as one of the team's most productive pass-catchers.

Early life and college career

Early life and high school

Kenneth Othell Burrough was born on July 14, 1948, in , to parents Othell and Alice Burrough. As the youngest of three children, he grew up idolizing his siblings—brother , a lettered , and sister Roslyn, a Broadway performer and former Duval teacher—in the Black community of Jacksonville during a time of segregation. Burrough attended segregated schools in Jacksonville, including Moncrief Elementary (now St. Clair Evans School), Northwestern Junior-Senior High, and , where he graduated in 1966. At High School, Burrough distinguished himself as a multi-sport , serving as the school's first starting in 1965 and leading the team to an 8-1-1 record while securing the city's . He also excelled in track, earning recognition as a star sprinter whose speed complemented his football prowess. By the time of his high school graduation, Burrough's talents had attracted widespread attention, resulting in 85 college invitation letters that underscored his potential as an elite athlete.

College career at Texas Southern

Ken Burrough enrolled at Texas Southern University in 1967, where he played football for the Texas Southern Tigers under head coach Clifford Paul through the 1969 season. Transitioning from quarterback in high school to wide receiver in college, Burrough leveraged his speed—honed from track events—to excel as a deep threat and playmaker on the field. He also competed in track and field for the Tigers, serving as a standout sprinter and contributing to several record-setting relay teams during his tenure. Burrough's statistical output highlighted his development as a premier receiver in the (SWAC). Over his three seasons, he amassed 138 receptions for 1,912 yards and 19 touchdowns, rankings that place him among the program's all-time leaders in receptions (fourth) and yards (eighth). In 1969, his senior year, he led the SWAC with 61 catches for 1,078 yards, establishing himself as the conference's top receiver that season. His performance earned widespread recognition, including All-SWAC honors each year from 1967 to 1969 and a second-team All-American selection in 1969. Burrough played a pivotal role in the Tigers' offensive success, notably as a key contributor to their shared 1968 SWAC co-championship, where his versatility bolstered the team's passing attack.

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

Ken Burrough was selected by the as the 10th overall pick in the first round of the , following his standout college career at where he earned All-American honors. As a , Burrough entered the league with high expectations, standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 215 pounds, but his rookie year proved challenging. In his only season with the Saints, Burrough appeared in 12 games, recording 13 receptions for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also contributing on special teams with 15 kick returns for 298 yards. His performance was limited by nagging injuries that hampered his ability to practice and play consistently, as well as the need to adjust to the speed and physicality of professional defenses. The Saints struggled as a team, finishing with a 2-11-1 record and ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring and overall performance under coaches Tom Fears and J.D. Roberts. Burrough chose to wear jersey number 00 during his time with the Saints, a decision that made him the last player in history to use that number before restricted its use starting in 1973, allowing only existing wearers to continue. Following the 1970 season, the Saints traded Burrough to the ahead of the 1971 campaign, as part of efforts to address roster needs and acquire established players in return.

Houston Oilers

Ken Burrough and Dave Rowe were acquired by the from the on January 26, 1971, in exchange for Hoyle Granger, offensive tackle Terry Stoepel, Charles Blossom, and a future draft pick, marking the start of his 11-season tenure with the team from 1971 to 1981. During this period, he wore jersey number 00, becoming the last player to do so. Burrough reached the peak of his performance in the mid-1970s, leading the in receiving yards with 1,063 on 53 receptions in 1975, a season that earned him his first selection. He followed with another appearance in 1977, when he recorded 43 receptions for 816 yards and eight touchdowns, including an 85-yard touchdown catch from quarterback , and was named second-team by the , , and Newspaper Enterprise Association. Burrough played a key role in the Oilers' playoff appearances during the 1978 and 1979 seasons, contributing to their AFC Central Division titles and wild-card berths in the "Luv Ya Blue" era, a time of fan enthusiasm and offensive excitement led by coach . His deep-threat ability complemented the high-scoring Oilers offense, where he formed a dynamic receiving duo with return specialist Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, helping to stretch defenses and support the ground game anchored by . Over his 144 games with the Oilers, Burrough amassed 408 receptions for 6,906 yards and 47 touchdowns, ranking first in franchise history for receiving yards and second in receiving touchdowns at the time of his retirement.

Career statistics

Regular season

Burrough's regular-season career spanned 12 seasons from 1970 to 1981, for the and primarily for the , where he established himself as a prolific deep-threat receiver. His annual statistics are summarized below, highlighting key metrics such as , receptions, receiving yards, yards per reception, touchdowns, and fumbles.
YearTeamGRECYDSY/RTDFUM
1970NOR121319615.123
1971HOU132537014.810
1972HOU142652120.040
1973HOU144357713.422
1974HOU113649213.721
1975HOU14531,06320.181
1976HOU145193218.370
1977HOU144381619.084
1978HOU164762413.320
1979HOU164075218.861
1980HOU249122.800
1981HOU164066816.771
Career1564217,10216.94913
Over his career, Burrough recorded 421 receptions for 7,102 yards, averaging 16.9 yards per catch, and 49 touchdowns. He reached peak performance in 1975 with 53 receptions for 1,063 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading the in receiving yards that year. Another standout year was 1977, when he amassed 43 receptions for 816 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Playoffs

Burrough's postseason opportunities came during the ' exciting playoff runs in the late 1970s, emblematic of the "Luv Ya Blue" era characterized by vibrant team uniforms, coach ' folksy leadership, running back Earl Campbell's dominance, and fervent fan support in . The Oilers reached the in both and , defeating wild-card and divisional opponents before falling to the each time, marking the franchise's deepest postseason advances until the early 1990s. Burrough appeared in all six of the Oilers' playoff games across those two seasons, primarily as a targeted by . Entering the 1978 playoffs on the heels of a regular-season campaign with 47 receptions for 624 yards, he contributed meaningfully in the early rounds before a quiet outing in the conference title game. In 1979, following another productive year with 40 catches for 752 yards, his role diminished, as he recorded no receptions amid the team's run-heavy offensive strategy focused on Campbell.
DateOpponentResultRecYdsAvgLongTDTargets
Dec 24, 1978at (Wild Card)W 17-9610317.253012
Dec 31, 1978at (Divisional)W 31-1439130.37114
Jan 7, 1979at (AFC Championship)L 5-3400--05
Dec 23, 1979vs (Wild Card)W 13-700--02
Dec 29, 1979at (Divisional)W 17-1400--00
Jan 6, 1980at (AFC Championship)L 13-2700--00
Source: Game logs from Pro-Football-Reference.com. Among his limited playoff production, Burrough had standout moments in the 1978 postseason. In the wild-card victory over the Dolphins, his six catches for 103 yards helped sustain drives against Miami's stout defense, including a 53-yard reception that set up a . The following week against the Patriots, he hauled in a pivotal 71-yard pass from Pastorini in the second quarter, breaking free from Mike Haynes to give a 14-0 lead en route to the win. Over the six games, Burrough totaled 9 receptions for 194 yards and 1 , averaging 21.6 yards per catch—higher than his career regular-season mark of 16.9 yards per reception across 421 catches for 7,102 yards—demonstrating his big-play potential in high-stakes matchups despite the small sample size. His lack of involvement in highlighted a shift toward ground control in the Oilers' offense during that playoff push.

Later life and legacy

Post-NFL activities and honors

After retiring from the following the 1981 season, Ken Burrough remained involved in football in the area, serving as a coach and radio for local games. In 2007, he joined as Community Relations Director, where he focused on fundraising and served as a for football games on KTSU 90.9 FM. He later returned to his hometown of , to focus on family life, where he resided until his passing. Burrough received several honors recognizing his contributions to football, particularly his college career at . He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996 for his standout performances in football and track from 1967 to 1969. The following year, in 1997, he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame. In 2016, Burrough was selected for induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2016, honoring his legacy as an HBCU standout and Pro Bowler. Burrough's impact on the franchise endured post-retirement, as he was recognized as a key receiving leader during the team's "Luv Ya Blue" era, the franchise leader in receiving yards at the time of his retirement. He participated in events Oilers history, including the 2021 Oilers Tribute Week, where approximately 80 former players gathered in Nashville.

Death

Ken Burrough died on February 24, 2022, at the age of 73 in his home in Jacksonville, Florida. His family announced the death, with the Black College Football Hall of Fame also confirming the news that day; no public cause was disclosed, though obituaries noted he had battled several medical issues prior to his passing. Tributes poured in from the community and beyond. The organization, successors to the , issued a statement expressing sorrow, with controlling owner describing Burrough as a "tremendous talent and a great teammate" who provided "the aerial threat and the big plays" for the Luv Ya Blue-era teams. Former teammates and the HBCU football community, including alumni networks, remembered him as a trailblazer and mentor, highlighting his enduring influence on Black college athletics. A community tribute was held on March 11, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at William M. Raines Senior High School Auditorium in Jacksonville, followed by a memorial service on March 12 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Family Life Center. Burrough donated his body for scientific research, a decision noted in obituaries as reflective of his commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurrKe00.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33363774/ken-burrough-two-pro-bowl-wide-receiver-houston-oilers-dies-age-73
  3. https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/longtime-oilers-receiver-kenny-burrough-has-passed-away
  4. https://www.thefloridastar.com/articles/obituary-kenneth-othell-00-burrough/
  5. https://archive.tcpalm.com/sports/100-years-of-florida-high-school-football-the-100-greatest-players-ep-404810200-349234841.html/
  6. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/2016/03/17/former-raines-qb-ken-burrough-headed-black-college-football-hall/15704118007/
  7. https://defendernetwork.com/sports/tsu-legend-kenny-burrough-left-legacy-of-greatness/
  8. https://swac.org/news/2022/2/25/football-swac-mourns-loss-of-tsu-legend-kenny-burrough.aspx
  9. https://tsusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/kenny-burrough/84
  10. https://www.neworleanssaints.com/draft/1970/
  11. https://1033thegoat.com/new-orleans-saints-first-round-draft-choices-ken-burrough-1970/
  12. https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/logan-burrough-were-unique-players-with-early-saints/article_aa73765c-448f-11ee-a7ba-bf41cd3b6ab6.html
  13. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1970.htm
  14. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/oilers-great-ken-burrough-the-last-nfl-player-to-wear-no-00-dies-at-73/
  15. https://www.nfl.com/news/ken-burrough-oilers-great-and-pro-bowl-wr-passes-away-at-73
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/26/archives/oilers-granger-traded-to-saints-houston-gets-burrough-and-rowe-in.html
  17. https://www.nfl.com/news/luv-ya-blue
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1978.htm
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1979.htm
  20. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurrKe00/gamelog/post/
  21. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197812240mia.htm
  22. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197812310nwe.htm
  23. https://tsusports.com/news/2022/2/24/tsu-athletics-mourns-the-passing-of-football-track-legend-kenny-00-burrough.aspx
  24. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2022/02/25/raines-high-school-oilers-football-star-receiver-kenny-burrough-dies/6931521001/
  25. https://tsusports.com/honors/texas-southern-hall-of-fame/kenny-00-burrough/18
  26. https://swac.org/hof.aspx?hof=211
  27. https://tsusports.com/news/2016/7/5/tsus-burrough-inducted-into-black-college-football-hall-of-fame.aspx
  28. https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/roughly-80-former-houston-oilers-headed-to-nashville-and-to-titans-vs-colts-for-
  29. https://www.alphonsowestmortuary.com/obituary/kenneth-burrough
  30. https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/news/tennessee-titans-nfl-houston-oilers-ken-burrough-died-amy-adams-strink-statement
  31. https://www.ebony.com/nfl-ken-burrough-obituary/
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