Jackie Burkett
No. 55, 60 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Position: | Center | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | Thorsby, Alabama, U.S. | December 16, 1936||
Died: | September 1, 2017 Fort Walton Beach, Florida, U.S. | (aged 80)||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Choctawhatchee (FL) | ||
College: | Auburn | ||
NFL draft: | 1959 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12 | ||
AFL draft: | 1960 / Round: 1 Pick: First Selections (by the New York Titans) | ||
Career history | |||
| |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
| |||
Career NFL statistics | |||
| |||
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Walter Jackson Burkett (December 16, 1936 – September 1, 2017) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Auburn University.
Early years
Burkett began playing sports at Andalusia High School, where he was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball). After his sophomore season he transferred to Choctawhatchee High School and became a two-year starter in football.
As a junior, he played
College career
Burkett accepted a scholarship from
He was named a starter as a sophomore and was a part of a team that won the SEC and the National championship. That squad was led by its defense, which registered 6 shutouts in 10 games and allowed 28 total points in the season (no more than 7 points in any game).[2] In his last year he was limited with a chronic shoulder injury, that caused it to be discolcated several times.
During his college career, his teams had a 26–3–1 record and were a part of two undefeated seasons. He also practiced baseball and basketball (only as a freshman).
In 1988, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He also was named to the Auburn All-Century football team and Walk of Fame.[3]
Professional career
Baltimore Colts
Burkett was
In 1962, he was named a starter in a linebacker corps that included Bill Pellington and Don Shinnick. He was mostly a backup during his time with the Colts.
New Orleans Saints (first stint)
Burkett became one of the original members of the
On August 28,
Dallas Cowboys
In 1968, after trading top linebacker backup Harold Hays, the Dallas Cowboys acquired Burkett and Dave Simmons for depth purposes.[6] He played in only three games, after suffering a broken left fibula against the Green Bay Packers on October 28.[7] The next season, he appeared in 11 games as a backup.
On June 23, 1970, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for safety Dave Whitsell and rookie running back Tom Broadhead.[8]
New Orleans Saints (second stint)
In
Personal life
He co-owned a restaurant in the
References
- ^ "Burkett, Dubose inducted into 2015 Wiregrass Hall of Fame class". 4 August 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame: Jackie Burkett's legendary NFL career took roots in Andalusia". 28 July 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "20th class inducted into Alabama's Hall of Fame". Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Hornung Becomes Saint, Gary Wood Also Picked". Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Dallas Swaps Boeke". Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Inconsistency Is Dallas Biggest Problem This Year". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "2 Cowboys Have Busted Beaks". Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Saints, Cowboys Work Whitsell-burkett Trade". Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Jackie Burkett: Former football great loses battle with leukemia". Retrieved February 16, 2020.