Super Bowl Champion Barry Wilburn Dies in House Fire

Wilburn's family confirms the former NFL player's death in Tennessee

Feb. 8, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Former NFL player Barry Wilburn, who won a Super Bowl championship with the Washington Redskins, died in a house fire in Memphis, Tennessee early Friday morning. Firefighters found the 62-year-old unresponsive in the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Why it matters

Wilburn was a standout defensive back who led the league in interceptions in 1987 and helped the Redskins win Super Bowl XXII. His unexpected death in a house fire is a tragic loss for the football community and his family.

The details

The Memphis Fire Department responded to a fire call around 2 a.m. on Friday in the Orange Mound neighborhood of Memphis. Firefighters found Wilburn unresponsive in a rear hallway of the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

  • The fire occurred around 2 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2026.
  • Wilburn was pronounced dead at the scene.

The players

Barry Wilburn

A former NFL defensive back who played for the Washington Redskins and won a Super Bowl championship in 1987.

Memphis Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the call and found Wilburn unresponsive in the home.

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What they’re saying

“We are devastated by the tragic loss of Barry. He was a beloved member of our family and will be deeply missed.”

— Wilburn Family

The takeaway

Wilburn's unexpected death in a house fire is a tragic loss for the football community and his family. As a standout defensive back who won a Super Bowl, his legacy as a champion will be remembered.