NFF National Scholar-Athletes
A three-year starter at running back at Stanford, Glyn Milburn helped the Cardinal to a 23-13 record, a Pac-10 title and a 24-3 victory over Penn State in the Blockbuster Bowl. The team leader in rushing and kick returns in 1990 and 1992, he ranks seventh in career kick returns (54) and career kick return yards (1,256); eighth in career rushing yards (2,252), career 100+ rushing yard games (8) and career kick return average (23.26); and 10th in career rushing attempts (481), career rushing yards per attempt (4.68) and single-season rushing touchdowns (14). The team leader in pass receptions in 1990 (64), Milburn also ranks ninth in career pass receptions (146).
The team leader in punt returns in 1990 (24), 1991 (23) and 1992 (34), Milburn holds school records for single-season punt return yards (589), career punt return yards (1,079) and single-season punt return average (17.32). A true triple-threat, he holds the Pac-10 record for single-game all-purpose yards (379) and the Stanford record for single-season all-purpose yards (2,234). A two-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection, he finished ninth in the 1992 Heisman Trophy voting and received the Pop Warner Trophy as the top senior player on the West Coast.
Compiling a 3.03 GPA in public policy, Milburn was a two-time Academic All-Pac-10 selection. He was a member of “Student’s First” and was involved with Young Life. Milburn was selected in the second round (43rd overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and excelled as a return specialist. As a rookie, he ranked in the top-10 of the league in punt returns (40), punt return yards (425), longest punt return (54) and punt return average (10.6). Milburn was traded to Detroit after the 1995 season and played two seasons with the Lions before being traded again to the Chicago Bears. He enjoyed his best season in 1998 with the Bears, leading the NFL in kick returns (62), kick return yards (1,550) and kick return touchdowns (2).
In nine seasons, Milburn returned 304 punts for 2,984 yards (9.8 average) and 407 kickoffs for 9,788 yards (24.0 average), twice earning All-Pro honors in 1995 and 1999. He ranks 34th all-time in career all-purpose yards and holds the league record for single-game all-purpose yards (404). After his playing days, Milburn became the general manager and director of player personnel for the Austin Wranglers in the Arena Football League, who played from 2004-08. He has since been a speaker for Business of Success Beyond Sports Institute.
