| No. 83, 84 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Split end,tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1941-04-30)April 30, 1941 (age 83) San Luis Obispo, California, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Bakersfield (CA) North |
| College: | Oregon State |
| NFL draft: | 1963: 5th round, 64th pick |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
Vernon Eugene Burke (born April 30, 1941) is an American former professionalfootball player who was atight end for five seasons in theNational Football League (NFL) with theSan Francisco 49ers,Atlanta Falcons, and theNew Orleans Saints.
Burke attendedNorth High School inBakersfield, California and starred in football.
Burke attendedBakersfield College before he enrolled atOregon State to play football. He lettered in football in 1961 and 1962, earning a spot as a first-team ConsensusAll-American atsplit end in 1962. Burke caught 69 passes for 1,007 yards, bothNCAA records at the time. The Beavers finished 9–2 after a 6–0 victory overVillanova in theLiberty Bowl. The Beavers' lone touchdown in that game came on a 99-yard rushing touchdown by Beaver quarterback and 1962Heisman Trophy winner,Terry Baker.
For his achievements in his senior season, Burke was chosen to play in the 1963East-West Shrine Game and 1963Hula Bowl.[1] Burke was also awarded the 1963W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast.
Burke was selected in the 5th round of the 1963NFL draft, the 64th pick overall, by the San Francisco 49ers. Burke did not debut in the NFL however until 1965. He later spent a year each with the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints.[2][3]
Burke was inducted into theState of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.