Professional Football Player. For ten seasons (1955 to 1964), he played at the defensive-back position in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. He was nicknamed "The Blade" due to his six feet, four inch, 190 pound frame. He attended Fillmore High School in California and played collegiate football at Ventura Junior College, before transferring to Colorado State University where he continued his athletics. Burroughs would be signed as a non-drafted player by the Rams in 1953, however his professional career would be delayed for two years due to his service with the United States Army. He distinguished himself as a rookie with his 9 interceptions for 103 yards in 1955. Prior to the 1960 NFL season, Norm Van Brocklin (a former teammate of his while with the Rams who joined the Eagles two years earlier) strongly urged the Philadelphia front office to acquire Burroughs. He was obtained from Los Angeles and would greatly contribute to the Eagles' squad which captured the 1960 NFL Title, as he recorded 9 interceptions for 124 yards that year. In 122 regular season games, he compiled 50 interceptions for 564 yards. Following his playing career, he was involved in several business ventures including operating a truck company, beer distributorship and a restaurant. He died following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Professional Football Player. For ten seasons (1955 to 1964), he played at the defensive-back position in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. He was nicknamed "The Blade" due to his six feet, four inch, 190 pound frame. He attended Fillmore High School in California and played collegiate football at Ventura Junior College, before transferring to Colorado State University where he continued his athletics. Burroughs would be signed as a non-drafted player by the Rams in 1953, however his professional career would be delayed for two years due to his service with the United States Army. He distinguished himself as a rookie with his 9 interceptions for 103 yards in 1955. Prior to the 1960 NFL season, Norm Van Brocklin (a former teammate of his while with the Rams who joined the Eagles two years earlier) strongly urged the Philadelphia front office to acquire Burroughs. He was obtained from Los Angeles and would greatly contribute to the Eagles' squad which captured the 1960 NFL Title, as he recorded 9 interceptions for 124 yards that year. In 122 regular season games, he compiled 50 interceptions for 564 yards. Following his playing career, he was involved in several business ventures including operating a truck company, beer distributorship and a restaurant. He died following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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