| No. 84, 88 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Wide receiver | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | (1955-05-26)May 26, 1955 Miami, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Died | November 18, 2025(2025-11-18) (aged 70) | ||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school | Southwest Miami(Olympia Heights, Florida) | ||||||||||
| College | Kentucky | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1977: 1st round, 26th overall pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Randall William Burke (May 26, 1955 – November 18, 2025) was an American professionalfootball player who was awide receiver for five seasons with theBaltimore Colts of theNational Football League (NFL) from 1977 to 1981. He playedcollege football for theKentucky Wildcats before he was selected by the Colts. in the first round of the1977 NFL draft with the 26th overall pick. He also played for theWashington Federals of theUnited States Football League (USFL).
Randall William Burke was born inMiami, Florida, on May 26, 1955. He attendedSouthwest Miami Senior High School inOlympia Heights, Florida, where he played football and rantrack.[1][2] Southwest went 0-9-1 in Burke's senior season, leaving Burke with little hope to receive a college football scholarship. He began to pursue a track scholarship, but through his high school track coach, he made contact with theUniversity of Kentucky's football team and eventually earned a football scholarship to play for the Wildcats.[3]
Burke attended the University of Kentucky from 1973 to 1977. TheWildcats used a run-oriented offense during Burke's time on the team, which led to minimal production from him.[3] During his college career, Burke appeared in 33 games with 37 receptions for 428 yards and three touchdowns.[4] Despite his limited role, Burke received an invite to the 1977Senior Bowl where he set a then-Senior Bowl record of 11 receptions for 126 yards.[3][5][6]
Burke's Senior Bowl performance, combined with a fast showing in the 40-yard dash, impressed NFL scouts.[3] Burke was selected by theBaltimore Colts with the 26th overall pick in the1977 NFL draft.[7] Burke missed his entirerookie season in 1977 after suffering aseparated shoulder during the first week of training camp.[8] Injuries would plague his early career, as he would later suffer from knee issues that required surgery and a bad bruise on his heel to start the 1979 season.[9]
In 1978, Burke appeared in 15 games, mainly onspecial teams.[1] In the Colts' week six game against theSt. Louis Cardinals, Burke blocked apunt fromSteve Little.[10] In week nine of the 1978 season, Burke was credited with asafety against theMiami Dolphins.[1] In December of 1978, Burke was indicted by a grand jury for insurance fraud and for making false reports to police. Burke reported his car stolen in May of that year, obtaining $2,100 from State Farm Insurance. His car was actually safe in Bowling Green, Kentucky.[11] He was given a suspended $5,000 fine and a suspended 3 year jail sentence for his actions.[12]
Burke saw more playing time at wide receiver during the 1979 season. He started in two games and had six receptions for 151 yards during the season.[1] His best game was the season opener against theKansas City Chiefs, where he recorded three receptions for 54 yards.[13] His longest catch of the season went for 59 yards against theBuffalo Bills in week eight.[14] Burke continued to produce on special teams, with eight tackles and four assisted tackles on kickoff coverage and threetackles on punt coverage.[1]
Burke's best statistical season was in 1980. Burke recorded 14 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns.[6] His first career touchdown reception came on a 19-yard pass from quarterbackBert Jones during a week four victory against theNew York Jets.[15] Burke also continued to appear on special teams.[6] His season was cut short by a lingering week three thigh injury,[16] and he missed six games throughout the 1980 season.[6]
In 1981, his final season with the Colts, Burke had 10 receptions for 153 yards.[17] His best offensive performance came in week 16 against theNew England Patriots when he had five receptions for 69 yards.[18] He continued to play well on special teams, leading the punt coverage unit with seven tackles and four assisted tackles,[17] topped by a blocked punt against theCleveland Browns in week eight.[19]
Burke was cut from the Colts' roster on September 6, 1982.[20]
Burke was a member of theLos Angeles Raiders during their 1983 training camp, but was released before the start of the season.[21]
Burke played in one game for theWashington Federals of theUnited States Football League during the1984 season, recording one reception for seven yards.[22] He would eventually retire after the season, citing being "banged up" from his injuries.[23]
Burke majored in business while attending college.[1] After retiring from the NFL Burke worked atWKYT for 29 years as a senior marketing consultant. He retired in 2017. Burke died on November 18, 2025, at the age of 70.[2]
| NFL career stats | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |||
| 1977 | BAL | 0 | 0 | Injured Reserve | |||||
| 1978 | BAL | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1979 | BAL | 16 | 2 | 6 | 151 | 25.2 | 59 | 0 | |
| 1980 | BAL | 10 | 0 | 14 | 185 | 13.2 | 19 | 3 | |
| 1981 | BAL | 16 | 1 | 10 | 153 | 15.3 | 24 | 0 | |
| Career | 57 | 3 | 30 | 489 | 16.3 | 59 | 3 | ||
| USFL career stats | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |||
| 1984 | WAS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Career | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | ||