NFL All-Pro Barry Wilburn Dies in Tragic Memphis House Fire at Age 62
The football world is mourning the loss of Barry Wilburn, a former NFL All-Pro cornerback and Washington great, who has died at the age of 62. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news, revealing that Wilburn passed away in a house fire in Memphis on February 6.
Commanders Issue Emotional Statement on Wilburn's Passing
The Washington Commanders, the franchise with which Wilburn won a Super Bowl, shared an emotional statement on Sunday confirming his death. 'We're saddened to learn of the passing of former Washington All-Pro and Super Bowl XXII champion Barry Wilburn,' the team posted on social media platform X. 'Sending our deepest condolences to his family and friends.' The statement reflects the profound impact Wilburn had on the organization and its fanbase.
Details of the Tragic House Fire in Memphis
According to reports from Action News 5, the Memphis Fire Department responded to a fire call in the Orange Mound neighborhood around 2 a.m. on Friday morning. Upon arriving at the property, firefighters discovered the former NFL cornerback unresponsive in a rear hallway. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with his family later confirming to Action News 5 that Wilburn was the victim of this devastating incident.
Barry Wilburn's Illustrious Football Career
Born on December 9, 1963, Barry Wilburn played college football at Mississippi before being drafted by Washington in 1985. He played defensive back for the Redskins for five seasons, establishing himself as a key player in their secondary. In 1987, Wilburn led the entire NFL in interceptions, recording nine of his 20 career regular-season interceptions that year. He played alongside Hall of Famer Darrell Green in what was considered one of the league's top defensive backfields.
Wilburn's career highlight came in Super Bowl XXII, where Washington defeated the Denver Broncos 42-10. In that championship game, Wilburn intercepted two passes, showcasing his playmaking ability on the biggest stage. After his five seasons with Washington, he went on to play for the Cleveland Browns in 1992 and later spent a couple of seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring from professional football.
The loss of Barry Wilburn is felt deeply across the NFL community, as fans and former teammates remember his contributions to the sport and his championship legacy. His family, friends, and the entire football world are in mourning following this tragic event.
