Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ken Burrough dies at the age of 73

Ken Burrough (Google Images)

According to the Associated Press on Thursday, former Houston Oilers wide receiver Ken Burrough has passed away at the age of 73. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Burrough played 12 seasons in the National Football League from 1970 to 1981 with the Oilers and New Orleans Saints. He was a Pro Bowl wide receiver while with Houston in 1975 and 1977.

During the 1975 NFL season, Burrough led the National Football League with 1063 receiving yards and 75.9 yards per game. In 156 NFL games, Burrough had 421 catches for 7102 yards and 49 touchdowns. He also had 17 rushes for 63 yards and another major score.

Burrough played his collegiate football at Texas Southern. He then was drafted in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Saints, 10th overall. Following the 1970 season, Burrough was traded from the Saints to the Oilers with defensive tackle Dave Rowe of Neptune City, New Jersey for running back Hoyle Granger of Oberlin, Louisiana, tight end Terry Stoepel of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Charley Blossom of Middleton, Texas, and a draft pick.

Burrough did not see much time with the Saints. That is because he was dealing with various injuries in his only season in New Orleans during the 1970 NFL season.

What made Burrough famous is the fact he wore 00 on his jersey. He was in fact the last player to ever wear double zero in the NFL according to the Associated Press.

Burrough is the second Pro Bowl wide receiver to die this week. He follows Charley Taylor of Grande Prairie, Texas, who was selected to the Pro Bowl for four straight years twice while playing for the Washington Football Team. Taylor was initially selected from 1964 to 1967, and again from 1972 to 1975.

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