(born Apr. 30, 1941) Vern Burke played tight end and receiver alongside Terry Baker at Oregon State and then played professionally for three teams in the National Football League.

Born in 1941, Burke grew up in Bakersfield, Calif., where he attracted the attention of Oregon State coach Tommy Prothro. During his senior season, 1962, he caught 69 passes for 1,007 yards and was named All-America the same year that Baker won the Heisman Trophy. Oregon State won the Liberty Bowl that season.

Following the season, Burke played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 1963 NFL Draft. He played one season each for the 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints before retiring at age 27.

Burke was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.