Houston Oilers legend Kenny Burrough, the franchise's top receiver in the Luv Ya Blue era, has passed away.
Burrough died at the age of 73 Thursday, his family announced.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk issued a statement on behalf of the organization.
"We have lost another great from the Luv Ya Blue era with the passing of Kenny Burrough," Strunk said. "Kenny provided the aerial threat and the big plays for Bum Phillips' Oiler teams, leading the league in receiving one season and earning two Pro Bowls over his 11 seasons in Houston. At the time of his retirement, he was the franchise leader in career receiving yards and he still ranks third currently. I will fondly remember his distinctive double zero jersey racing down the field on another long touchdown.
"It was great to see him at our last Oilers reunion, spending time with his teammates and reliving their special moments together. On behalf of our organization, I send our condolences to his family and his teammates. He will be missed."
Burrough, who wore No. 00 with the Oilers, played from 1971 to 1981 in Houston and made the Pro Bowl in 1975 and 1977.
Burrough totaled 408 receptions for 6,906 yards and 47 touchdowns during his playing days with the team. He led Houston in receiving seven times during his 11 seasons, and at the end of his career he ranked first on the Oilers receiving charts in yards, second in receptions, and second in touchdowns. From 1971 to 1981, only four NFL players recorded more receiving yards than Burrough: Harold Jackson, Charlie Joiner, Harold Carmichael and Cliff Branch. Burrough's total of 144 career games is tied for 16th place in franchise history and remains the most among all wide receivers.
Burrough's 6,906 receiving yards still ranks third all-time in Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans history behind only Ernest Givins (7,935) and Drew Hill (7,477). His 47 touchdowns ties him for second on the franchise list behind 1960s Oilers receiver Charley Hennigan.
His best statistical season occurred in 1975, when he led the NFL with 1,063 yards on 53 receptions, including eight touchdown catches. That earned him his first Pro Bowl appearance, and he was named to his second Pro Bowl following the 1977 season (43 receptions for 816 yards and eight touchdowns).
Originally selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft (10th overall), Burrough caught 13 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie with the Saints before being traded to the Oilers in 1971. His NFL totals, including his time with the Saints and Oilers, included 421 receptions for 7,102 yards and 49 touchdowns in 156 games, and he added 17 rushing attempts for 63 yards and one score.
He also carries the distinction of being the last person in the NFL to wear jersey number "00" in a regular season game.
Born on July 14, 1948 in Jacksonville, Fla., Burrough was an All-American in football and track at Texas Southern University (1966-69), where he totaled 138 receptions for 1,912 yards. He was an All-SWAC selection from 1967 to 1969 and was named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
