Barry Wilburn, a former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback and Super Bowl champion, died early Friday morning in a house fire in Tennessee. He was 62 years old. The Memphis Fire Department responded to the blaze on Douglas Avenue in the Orange Mound neighborhood at approximately 2 a.m., where Wilburn was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the scene.
Details of the Fire and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire that claimed Wilburn’s life. The incident unfolded in the rear hallway of the home, but no further information about the origin or circumstances has been released.
Wilburn’s Football Career Highlights and Background
A native of Orange Mound, Wilburn played college football at Ole Miss before being selected in the eighth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by Washington. He played for Washington through the 1989 season, contributing to the team’s dominant 42-10 victory over Denver in Super Bowl XXII. Wilburn notably intercepted two passes in that championship game.
He also holds the Washington franchise record for the longest interception return, a 100-yard touchdown against Minnesota in 1987. That same season, he led the NFL with nine interceptions and earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Challenges and Career Transitions
Wilburn faced setbacks during his career, including a suspension after a positive drug test in 1989. After falling out of the NFL, he returned in 1992 with the Cleveland Browns. He then played Canadian football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1993 and the BC Lions in 1994, helping BC win the Grey Cup that year.
He returned to the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1994 before finishing his NFL tenure with two seasons at the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 and 1996. Wilburn concluded his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League in 1999.
Legacy and Career Statistics
Throughout his professional football career, Wilburn recorded 246 tackles, 20 interceptions, and scored one touchdown. His achievements include being a Super Bowl champion, an All-Pro selection, and holding significant records for interception returns.
