Football

Eagles LB Oren Burks returns to Super Bowl, knows 'God will love me' no matter what

By Cole Claybourn Jan 30, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Oren Burks waited all season for his opportunity. After an injury to Philadelphia Eagles starting middle linebacker Nakobe Dean in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs, it’s been Burks whom the Eagles have relied on to fill in for their defensive leader during their run to Super Bowl LIX.

Predominantly used on special teams this season, the veteran played the final 36 snaps of the team’s first-round playoff win over Green Bay at linebacker and has started both games since.

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Slotting into the starting lineup may be somewhat new to Burks, but starting in a Super Bowl won’t be. He actually started for the San Francisco 49ers and made five tackles in the team’s Super Bowl LVIII loss a year ago to the Kansas City Chiefs, the same team Philadelphia will face this season.

Prior to Dean’s injury, Burks forced a fumble on the opening kickoff against the Packers. Then against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, Burks forced another fumble, this time from Commanders running back Austin Eckeler as Washington was driving to make it a one-score game late in the third quarter. The Commanders didn’t score the rest of the game, and Philadelphia’s 55-23 win clinched its second Super Bowl berth in three years.

Burks also picked up a sack against the Commanders and finished game with nine tackles, second on the team. The Eagles will be looking for him to have a similar impact in the Super Bowl if they hope to knock off the Chiefs and avenge their loss in Super Bowl LVII.

“He’s been such a dynamic player there for us on special teams and that’s a great predictor of how you’re going to play as a linebacker with all the physical tools,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters ahead of the team’s divisional-round game. “It’s obviously a different mental game but what a great indicator of how you are as a linebacker as far as how you tackle, how you get off blocks, etc.

“Oren has been consistently ready to play and has played well and performed well every time he’s stepped onto the field. As bummed as I am that Nakobe doesn’t get to play, I’m excited for Oren and his opportunity to play.”

Prior to the playoffs, Burks had only seen the field on defense sparingly this season, mostly filling in for Dean and fellow starter Zack Baun when they needed a breather. Dean was the team’s defensive leader and the player charged with receiving the play calls from coaches and relaying them in the huddle.

In other words, these are large shoes Burks is being asked to fill. But he’s not feeling any pressure.

“I just take ownership of what I can control,” Burks told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “That’s myself. I’m going to give 100 percent effort, I’m going to be prepared and let the chips fall where they may. I’ve kind of learned to surrender the outcome and just be present in the process. That’s a big thing for me.”

 

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He credits much of his approach and demeanor to his faith in Jesus, he told Sports Spectrum a year ago prior to Super Bowl LVIII. He was seen as a spiritual leader while with the 49ers and has embraced a similar role in the Eagles locker room.

“God calls us to be leaders of men,” he told Sports Spectrum. “I’m not a huge vocal guy, but I try to lead by my actions and the way I treat people. I’ve been around it my whole life with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), so it comes natural.”

He grew up in church, but said his faith took a big leap when he went to Vanderbilt University to play college football.

“I had to take ownership of my faith,” he said. “It wasn’t my parents’. It wasn’t my grandparents’. I decided to truly believe for myself.”

He said he lives by Romans 10:9, which reads, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

“It’s just a great foundational piece,” Burks said. “No matter my pitfalls or anything that happens on or off the field, I know that God will love me.”

Kickoff for Super Bowl LIX from New Orleans is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 9.

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