Former star wide receiver Ken Borrough, who was the last NFL player to wear No. 00 while playing for the Houston Oilers, has died.
Borrough, who was surrounded by family in Jacksonville, Fla., at the time of his passing, was 73.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound wide receiver was the last player in the league to wear No. 00 or 0 after the league discontinued the use of the numbers in 1973. However, players who were already wearing No. 00 or 0 were grandfathered in until they retired.
Borrough was drafted 10th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1970, but was traded to the Oilers after one season and went on to play 11 straight campaigns with the franchise, which eventually moved to Tennessee and are now the Titans. Borrough was a two-time Pro Bowler in 1975 — when he led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,063 — and 1977.
During his tenure with Houston, he finished with 47 touchdowns and 6,906 yards through the air as he helped the Oilers get to within one game of the Super Bowl on two different occasions.
“Kenny provided the aerial threat and the big plays for Bum Phillips’ Oilers teams, leading the league in receiving one season and earning two Pro Bowls over his 11 seasons in Houston,” said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a prepared statement. “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.”
Borrough formally played for Texas Southern in College and, in 2016, he was elected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
