Vern Burke

Vernon Eugene Burke is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for five seasons in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and the New Orleans Saints.

Early life

Burke attended North [High School (Bakersfield, California)|North High School] in Bakersfield, California and starred in football.

Burke attended Bakersfield College before he enrolled at Oregon State to play football. He lettered in football in 1961 and 1962, earning a spot as a first-team Consensus All-American at split end in 1962. Burke caught 69 passes for 1,007 yards, both NCAA records at the time. The Beavers finished 9–2 after a 6–0 victory over Villanova in the Liberty Bowl. The Beavers' lone touchdown in that game came on a 99-yard rushing touchdown by Beaver quarterback and 1962 Heisman Trophy winner, Terry Baker.
For his achievements in his senior season, Burke was chosen to play in the 1963 East-West Shrine Game and 1963 Hula Bowl. Burke was also awarded the 1963 W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast.

Burke was selected in the 5th round of the 1963 NFL 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.

Burke was inducted into the Oregon [Sports Hall of Fame|State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame] in 1982 and the Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.