Canadian Football Hall of Famer and former Calgary Stampeder Willie Burden has died. He was 64.
The Stampeders organization confirmed his death on Friday night.
The former running back was one of the greatest players in Stampeders history and holds a place of honour on the club’s Wall of Fame.
Burden played for Calgary from 1974 to 1981 and still holds the franchise’s single-season rushing record of 1,896 yards, which he established in 1975.
“Willie was a great player, a great teammate and a great friend,” said Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel, who played with Burden from 1976-79. “He will be sorely missed and I offer condolences to his family.”
The North Carolina State alumni finished his career with 6,234 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns to go along with 299 receptions for 2,669 yards and 16 majors.
Burden later in his career accepted a secondary role in the Stamps’ backfield and willingly became a blocker for featured tailback James Sykes.
His No. 10 is retired by the Stampeders and he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
After his playing career, Burden became a college sports administrator — including a 10-year stint as athletic director at North Carolina A&T University — as well as a college professor.
Burden is survived by his wife Velma, sons Willie Jr. and Freddie and daughter Courtney.
VIA: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/willie-burden-stampeder-dead-at-64-1.3352258
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