What was Barry Wilburn's cause of death? Details on the NFL veteran's final moments

The football world is mourning the tragic loss of Barry Wilburn, the former All-Pro defensive back and Super Bowl XXII champion, who passed away on February 6, 2026. Wilburn, a native of Memphis, was 62 years old.

Washington All-Pro Barry Wilburn Dies in House Fire; Cause Under Investigation

The tragedy occurred in the early morning hours in the Orange Mound neighborhood of Memphis. The Memphis Fire Department responded to a house fire at a residence on Douglass Avenue around 2:00 a.m. After battling the blaze, firefighters discovered Wilburn unresponsive in a rear hallway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. While the local community and the NFL have been rocked by the news, the Memphis Fire Department has stated that the official cause of the fire remains under investigation.

His identity was confirmed by his family and later by his former team, the Washington Commanders.

Wilburn was a standout athlete whose career spanned both the NFL and the CFL. Born in 1963 and the son of Olympic medalist Margaret Matthews Wilburn, he excelled at Ole Miss before being drafted by Washington in 1985.His breakout year came in 1987, a season that cemented his place in football history:He led the NFL with nine interceptions and was named a First-team All-Pro.

In Super Bowl XXII, he intercepted Denver Broncos legend John Elway twice, helping Washington to a dominant 42-10 victory. Wilburn is one of a select few players to win both an NFL Super Bowl and a CFL Grey Cup (which he won with the B.C. Lions in 1994).

Following the news, the Washington Commanders released a statement expressing deep sadness for the loss of a franchise icon. Former teammates and the Memphis community have remembered him not just as a fierce competitor with "ball-hawk" instincts, but as a local role model who inspired younger generations of athletes in his hometown.

Wilburn’s legacy is defined by his 20 career regular-season interceptions and his reputation as one of the most reliable cornerbacks of his era. He is survived by his family, including his children, Jordan and Dominique.