Barry Wilburn, a Super Bowl-winning defensive back for Washington who led the NFL in interceptions during the franchise’s 1987 championship season, has died at age 62.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities have not publicly released the victim’s identity.
Born Dec. 9, 1963, in Memphis, Tennessee, Wilburn starred at the University of Mississippi before entering the NFL. A graduate of Melrose High School, he earned All-SEC recognition during his college career at Ole Miss. The former Rebels defensive back was selected by Washington in the eighth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, recording 39 tackles, and steadily developed into a key contributor in Washington’s secondary.
Wilburn’s breakout came in 1987. He intercepted nine passes during the regular season, leading the league and earning first-team All-Pro honors. During that postseason, he added three more interceptions, including two in Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos. Washington defeated Denver 42-10, with Wilburn intercepting two passes thrown by quarterback John Elway.
He played alongside Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green in a secondary that ranked among the league’s most opportunistic units that season.
Across eight NFL seasons, Wilburn totaled 20 regular-season interceptions, six fumble recoveries, and 246 tackles. He spent his first five seasons with Washington before later joining the Cleveland Browns in 1992. After injuries sidelined him for portions of his career, he returned to the league with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 and 1996.
In addition to his NFL tenure, Wilburn played multiple seasons in the Canadian Football League, suiting up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, BC Lions, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In 1994, he won a Grey Cup with the Lions, becoming one of the few players to capture championships in both the NFL and CFL.