NFL insider Ari Meirov has announced that Rex Burkhead, an experienced NFL player who competed for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, and Houston Texans over his 10-year tenure, is retiring from the professional football scene.
Burkhead’s football journey commenced at the collegiate level, where he dedicated four seasons to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, aiding them through their transition from the Big 12 to the Big Ten conference.
In 2013, Burkhead ventured into the NFL following his selection by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 190th overall pick. He spent four years with the Bengals before transitioning to the New England Patriots for another four-year span. In his final two seasons, Burkhead played for the Houston Texans.
Throughout his career, Burkhead garnered acclaim as a Nebraska Cornhuskers icon and solidified his reputation as a reliable running back for the New England Patriots.
Former Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead got significant looks in all of the four years he was with the team. As a freshman, Burkhead ran the ball 81 times as he shared the backfield with Roy Helu Jr.
Burkhead took over as the main back in 2010 and 2011. 2011 was his best year as a Nebraska Cornhusker as he managed to get 1,357 yards on the ground along with 15 rushing touchdowns. Burkhead had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2010 and 2011 before splitting the backfield with Ameer Abdullah in 2012.
One of Burkhead’s shining moments at Nebraska was when he helped the Huskers come back from a 21-point second-half deficit against the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2011. Burkhead’s go-ahead run 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
Burkhead’s ability to excel in various roles, including pass blocking, receiving, and special teams, made him a valuable asset for quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. His performance in the Super Bowl, where he split the backfield with Sony Michel and averaged over six yards per carry against his former Nebraska teammate Ndamukong Suh, highlighted his impact on the field.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Burkhead also shared admiration for Suh’s playing style and acknowledged the lessons learned from him during their time together at Nebraska.
Burkhead’s tenure with the Patriots included memorable moments, such as scoring the game-winning touchdown in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, despite his success with the Patriots, Burkhead saw his most productive year as a running back in 2021 with the Houston Texans, where he recorded a career-high 427 rushing yards along with nearly 200 receiving yards.
After concluding his tenure with the Texans in 2022, Burkhead officially announced his retirement from the NFL, leaving behind a legacy of versatility, resilience, and impactful performances throughout his career.
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