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New England Patriots

Patriots Super Bowl-winning running back announces retirement

By Alex Barth
Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) runs against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens (53) in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) runs against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens (53) in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Former New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead announced his retirement on Monday. Burkhead played 10 years in the NFL, including four with the Patriots.

“I’ve been blessed to be able to play the game of football for 26 years and looking back there are many people I would like to thank,” Burkhead, 33, wrote in a post on Instagram Monday afternoon. He thanked his family, friends, former coaches and teammates, fans, and others.

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Burkhead was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent four years in Cincy primarily as a special teams player, then signed with the Patriots as a free agent prior to the 2017 season.

In New England, Burkhead was a jack-of-all-trades playing a key rotational role on offense as a backup for both early-down and passing-down backs. He also filled multiple roles on special teams.

Over his four years in New England Burkhead recorded 253 carries for 1,026 yards and 11 touchdowns, and caught another 96 passes for 856 yards and seven more scores. He also had 11 special teams tackles in that time. After the 2020 season Burkhead was a free agent, and signed with the Houston Texans. He finished his career out with two years in Houston, and was out of the league last year.

During his four years in New England Burkhead won one Super Bowl, and was part of a number of other key moments. Here’s a look back at his biggest plays as a Patriot…

  • Game-winning touchdown against Kansas City in the AFC Championship

    Alex Barth on Twitter: "Former Patriots RB Rex Burkhead has announced his retirement. He scored one of the most important touchdowns of the Patriots' dynasty, with the AFCCG game-winner against the Chiefs in OT pic.twitter.com/f3TldhQGjE / Twitter"

    Former Patriots RB Rex Burkhead has announced his retirement. He scored one of the most important touchdowns of the Patriots' dynasty, with the AFCCG game-winner against the Chiefs in OT pic.twitter.com/f3TldhQGjE

    It isn’t the most spectacular play – just a two-yard run on 2nd & goal – but it is one of the most important touchdowns in Patriots franchise history. With this score Burkhead capped the Patriots’ overtime drive against the Kansas City Chiefs, sending them to Super Bowl LIII, which they’d go on to win to capture their sixth title. It was Burkhead’s second touchdown of the day – he ran the ball 12 times for 41 yards and also caught four passes for another 23 yards in this one.

  • Run to set up a field goal in Super Bowl LIII

    https://tw.com/RealAlexBarth/status/1754617270062420003?s=20

    Two weeks later, Burkhead made another key play. In a game where both teams struggled to move the ball, Burkhead had a 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter to set up Stephen Gostkowski’s 41-yard kick that put the game away. In total Burkhead carried the ball seven times for 43 yards in this game, on his way to capturing his Super Bowl ring.

  • Helping down the punt in Pittsburgh

    One of the best special teams plays of the dynasty era. Burkhead made the second diving save, following Jonathan Jones, to allow Ramon Humber to down a Ryan Allen punt at the 1-yard line. This play became symbolic of the Patriots’ special teams excellence during that time.

  • Hat trick against the Raiders

    Upside Play on Twitter: "Rex Burkhead shake and bake leads to a TD leap! #Patriots #Raiders pic.twitter.com/H6mJPt9t9B / Twitter"

    Rex Burkhead shake and bake leads to a TD leap! #Patriots #Raiders pic.twitter.com/H6mJPt9t9B

    Burkhead scored three touchdowns in a game once in his career, with the Patriots against the Raiders early in the 2020 season. He carried the ball six times for 49 yards and two scores in that game, and added seven catches for another 49 yards and another touchdown as the Patriots went on to win 36-20 to get off to a promising 2-1 start.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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