Edward Burke (American football)

Edward Joseph Burke (November 2, 1907 – August 19, 1967) was an American football player and officer in the United States Navy. He played college football at the United States Naval Academy and was a consensus first-team All-American guard in 1928. He thereafter served in the United States Navy, was the commanding officer of two destroyers during World War II, and attained the rank of rear admiral.

Burke was raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the United States Naval Academy. At the Academy, he played at the guard position for the Navy Midshipmen football team from 1926 to 1928. He was a consensus first-team selection to the 1928 College Football All-America Team.

Burke graduated from the Naval Academy in 1929 and spent his entire career in active service with the U.S. Navy. During World War II, he was the commander of two destroyers, the USS Simpson and the USS Plunkett. He received the Navy Cross and the Legion of Merit for his wartime service. He attained the rank of rear admiral and died in August 1967. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.