Tag: Ken Burrough

0 more days until Saints’ season opener: Every player to wear No. 0

With our countdown to the Saints’ Week 1 kickoff completed, let’s take a look at the few players to wear No. 0 or No. 00:

The New Orleans Saints Week 1 matchup is upon us! The Saints will be taking on their division rival Carolina Panthers today, as they look to hopefully start the season off strong. With that, our daily countdown of jersey numbers has reached its end, as we take a look at the three players to wear the No. 0 or No. 00 for the Saints throughout their entire history.

It is worth noting that the Pro Football Reference page below does not track No. 00 as it was no longer allowed in the NFL as of 1973, and is still banned despite No. 0 being allowed again as of 2023. We will be adding Ken Burrough to this list, as one of only two players to ever wear No. 00 in the league, and a deserving addition to any all-time list.

Here are the players to wear No. 0 and No. 00 from Pro Football Reference and historical data:

  • Ugo Amadi (2023)
  • Ken Burrough (1970)
  • Obert Logan (1967)

Burrough was the last player to ever wear No. 00 in the NFL, with center Jim Otto being the only other to wear it. Burrough and Otto both received a grandfather clause from the NFL, allowing Burrough to play out his career with the number through 1981 as well, despite the 1973 rule taking it out of available numbers. He played only 12 games for the Saints, accruing 13 receptions for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns before moving on to the Houston Oilers where he would play the next 11 seasons. He is third all-time in receiving yards for the franchise (Oilers/Titans) as well as third in receiving touchdowns.

In terms of all-time lists, he ranks 85th in yards per reception (16.9) as well. Despite Burrough having a short tenure with the Saints, his story is a very intriguing one, and to this day the number remains ineligible. No. 0 being returned led to a dozen players wearing it in the 2023 season, and presumably more to come for the 2024 season across the league.

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Oilers great Kenny Burrough has passed away at the age of 73

Burrough ranks third in franchise history with 6,906 receiving yards, and he was the last player to wear No. 00 in a regular season game.

Houston Oilers great and former wide receiver, Kenny Burrough, has passed away at the age of 73, his family announced on Thursday.

Tennessee Titans owner, Amy Adams Strunk, released a statement on the passing of Burrough:

“We have lost another great from the Luv Ya Blue era with the passing of Kenny Burrough,” Strunk said. “Kenny provided the aerial threat and the big plays for Bum Phillips’ Oiler teams, leading the league in receiving one season and earning two Pro Bowls over his 11 seasons in Houston. At the time of his retirement, he was the franchise leader in career receiving yards and he still ranks third currently. I will fondly remember his distinctive double zero jersey racing down the field on another long touchdown.

“It was great to see him at our last Oilers reunion, spending time with his teammates and reliving their special moments together. On behalf of our organization, I send our condolences to his family and his teammates. He will be missed.”

A former first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1970, Burrough was traded to the Oilers in 1971 and went on to become one of the best wide receivers in franchise history.

Burrough spent 11 seasons in Houston, tallying 408 receptions for 6,906 yards and 48 total touchdowns. He ranks third in franchise history in receiving yards.

The Texans Southern product was a two-time Pro Bowler, with his best season coming in 1975 when he had a career-high 1,063 receiving yards.

Burrough, who wore No. 00 during his career, is the last player in NFL history to don the number in a regular season game.

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Former Oilers WR Ken Burrough dies at 73

Former Houston Oilers receiver Ken Burrough has passed away at the age of 73.

Former Houston Oilers receiver Ken Burrough has passed away at the age of 73.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Burrough passed awawy Thursday at his home in Jacksonville, Fla.

Burrough and Oakland Raiders center Jim Otto were among the last players to wear No. 00 as a jersey after the NFL’s standardization of uniform numbers in 1973.

Burrough played in the NFL first with the New Orleans Saints in 1970, but was traded to the Oilers in 1971, where he remained with the club through the 1981 season.

During Burrough’s 11 seasons in Houston, he caught 408 passes for 6,906 yards and 47 touchdowns while also carrying 16 times for 59 yards and a score.

The former Texas Southern product earned Pro Bowl honors in 1975 and 1977.

Former Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini, who played in Houston from 1971-79, told the Houston Chronicle that he and Burrough were “made for each other.”

“Kenny caught the biggest passes I ever threw,” Pastorini said. “He was a great player and an even greater human being. He was a great friend, and I always appreciated the way he supported my (Be An Angel) foundation.”