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14 Facts About Jackie Burkett

1.

Walter Jackson Burkett was an American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys.

2.

Jackie Burkett began playing sports at Andalusia High School, where he was a three-sport athlete.

3.

Jackie Burkett accepted a scholarship from Auburn University, where he was a two-way player, playing center and linebacker, while calling the defensive signals.

4.

Jackie Burkett was named a starter as a sophomore and was a part of a team that won the SEC and the National championship.

5.

Jackie Burkett practiced baseball and basketball.

6.

Jackie Burkett was named to the Auburn All-Century football team and Walk of Fame.

7.

Jackie Burkett was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the first round of the 1959 NFL draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over.

8.

Jackie Burkett was selected by the New York Titans in the 1960 AFL draft.

9.

Jackie Burkett was mostly a backup during his time with the Colts.

10.

Jackie Burkett became one of the original members of the New Orleans Saints, after being selected in the 1967 NFL Expansion Draft and playing in 14 regular season games as a backup outside linebacker.

11.

Jackie Burkett co-owned a restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans for five years.

12.

Jackie Burkett worked as a sales manager for a pipe business and as the marketing vice president with the engineering firm Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan, that designed bridges and roads.

13.

Jackie Burkett was the county commissioner in Fort Walton Beach from 2000 to 2008.

14.

Jackie Burkett died of leukemia on September 1,2017, aged 80.