Super Bowl Champion Found Dead In 'Horrific' Fire At 62

Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Barry Wilburn tragically died in a house fire in Memphis.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Barry Wilburn, best known for his time with the Washington Redskins, was found dead in a house fire in Memphis, Tennessee over the weekend. Wilburn, an eighth round pick out of Ole Miss in 1985, was 62 years old at the time of his death.

Why it matters

Wilburn's death is a tragic loss for the NFL and Washington football community, as he was a beloved player and Super Bowl champion. The circumstances surrounding his death in a 'horrific' house fire have also raised concerns about fire safety and prevention.

The details

The fire happened in the Orange Mound neighborhood of Memphis early Friday morning. The Memphis Fire Department responded to the reported residential structure fire and found Wilburn unresponsive in the rear hallway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

  • The fire occurred early Friday morning around 2am.
  • Wilburn was found dead at the scene.

The players

Barry Wilburn

A former NFL player and Super Bowl champion, best known for his time with the Washington Redskins. He was an eighth round pick out of Ole Miss in 1985 and played in the NFL from 1985 until 1996.

Washington Redskins

The NFL team that Wilburn played for during his professional football career.

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What they’re saying

“Family and friends are mourning the loss of former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Barry Wilburn. Family confirms he was the victim of a house fire in Orange Mound early Friday morning.”

— Action News 5, News Outlet (Action News 5)

What’s next

The Memphis Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the deadly house fire that claimed the life of former NFL player Barry Wilburn.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Super Bowl champion Barry Wilburn in a house fire has left the NFL and Washington football community in mourning. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and prevention, especially for older homes and vulnerable populations.