NFL insider Ari Meirov reports that veteran running back Rex Burkhead, a former member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Nebraska Cornhuskers, is leaving the league after ten seasons.
During his four years of college, Burkhead was a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. He assisted them in making the move from the Big 12 to the Big Ten.
Burkhead entered the league in 2013 following his 190th overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals. Burkhead spent four years as a player with the Bengals before spending four more years as a player for the New England Patriots. Burkhead spent his final two seasons as a member of the Houston Texans.
Rex Burkhead became a Nebraska Cornhuskers legend before becoming a star running back for the Patriots
During his four years with the team, former Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead received a lot of attention. In his first season, Burkhead and Roy Helu Jr. split time in the backfield, totaling 81 runs on the ball.
Burkhead became the lead role between 2010 and 2011. His greatest season as a Nebraska Cornhusker was 2011, when he amassed 1,357 yards of total ground gain and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Burkhead divided the backfield with Ameer Abdullah in 2012 after amassing over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2010 and 2011.
Burkhead’s 2011 comeback against the Ohio State Buckeyes, which saw the Huskers overcome a 21-point hole in the second half, was one of his best performances while at Nebraska. Burkhead’s decisive dash with just over five minutes left in the game helped Nebraska to the program’s only victory over the Buckeyes.
Burkhead was also known for his relationship with Jack Hoffman, a child with brain cancer who became close to the team. Hoffman wore Burkhead’s jersey during his famous spring game touchdown.
Former Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead helped the New England Patriots win a Super Bowl
Rex Burkhead, a former Nebraska running back, began his career in Cincinnati and demonstrated in his fourth season that he could be a reliable contributor. In his first three years in the NFL, Burkhead only attempted 13 rushes; however, in his fourth year, he amassed 344 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Burkhead’s four-year tenure with the Patriots, during which he assisted the team in defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, is what made him most renowned. Burkhead never played a whole 16-game season, despite being most remembered for his time with the Bengals, and he would never surpass the 344 running yards he recorded there.
Burkhead contributed as a solid pass blocker as well as someone who could catch the ball out of the backfield as a reliable checkdown guy for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Burkhead averaged over 10 yards per reception with just under 300 yards receiving with the Patriots in 2019. Burkhead was also known for his high-effort special teams contributions.
Burkhead and Sony Michel split the backfield in the Patriots’ Super Bowl triumph, resulting in a scoreless defensive contest. Burkhead faced Ndamukong Suh, his old Nebraska teammate, and averaged more than six yards per carry. Burkhead noted in a piece from TheSpun how challenging it would be to take on Suh in the interior.
Burkhead praised the player as excellent. “When he steps outside, his physicality and intensity are evident. He’s a physical, defensive player that really gives it his all on the field. He may get emotional sometimes, but he’s a fantastic player anyway.
Burkhead remarked, “I know him personally, and he’s a great guy.” “I gained a lot of knowledge from him while attending Nebraska.”
Burkhead also scored the game-winning touchdown for the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots would go on to lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Burkhead’s best season as a running back with the Houston Texans came in 2021. Along with his career-high 427 yards of rushing, he also had nearly 200 yards of receptions. After the 2022 season, Burkhead left the Texans, and he did not find a new home for the 2023 season, thus he formally retired.
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