Milburn began attending Grambling State University in 1987[1] and spent his first season with the Tigers playing tight end.[2] However, he was told by coach Robinson that the team needed someone to rush the passer and Milburn began spending more time in the weight room training to play defensive end.[2] He was able to increase his weight to 264 lb, grew two inches, and became one of the team's top defenders and highest regarded players.[3] Despite his size, coaches still noted that he was among the top four fastest players on the team.[2] Milburn graduated following the 1990 season.[1]
Professional career
Milburn was selected in the ninth round (213th overall) of the 1991 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.[4] He received a contract on July 11[5] but was released on August 19.[6] Shortly thereafter, he was re-signed to the practice roster.[7] Milburn spent the majority of the season there before receiving promotion for the final two games against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.[8][9][10] He appeared in both games and also in their first playoff match-up against the Dallas Cowboys; he was inactive for the second, a loss to the Washington Redskins, due to a hamstring injury.[10][11] Milburn became an unprotected free agent after the season[12] and was later waived on August 25, 1992.[13]
In September 1992, Milburn was added to the practice roster of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.[14] He was later activated and made his CFL debut on his 24th birthday, appearing in the Argonauts' loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[15][16] Following the game, Milburn was placed on the injury list;[17] he did not appear in any further games for Toronto that season.[1]
Milburn was released by Toronto at the start of July 1993 and afterwards returned as a member of the practice roster.[18] After the Toronto defense allowed 55 points in week seven against the BC Lions, Milburn was promoted to the active roster and was made a starter in an attempt to improve the team.[19][20] After having appeared in four games,[1] he was released on October 1.[21] Milburn finished his stint at Toronto with five total games played, nine tackles, including three for-loss, and one sack.[1] His salary with the team was $60,000.[22]
Milburn was signed by the New Orleans Saints in 1994 but was waived on July 16.[23] Afterwards, he was claimed by the Arizona Cardinals[24] but was again waived on August 23.[25] Milburn joined the Anaheim Piranhas of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 1996, after spending a year out of football. He became one of their top linemen, helping the team lead the league in sacks.[26] While appearing in all 14 games for the Piranhas, who reached the AFL playoffs, he posted seven sacks, made two pass deflections, recovered a fumble, and also caught two receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.[27][28] He appeared in one game for Anaheim in 1997 before being placed on injured reserve, having made one tackle and one reception for four yards.[27][29][30] After the Piranhas folded, Milburn was selected by the Tampa Bay Storm in the AFL dispersal draft.[31] He was placed on the injured reserve list prior to the regular season, however, and was released in December 1998.[32][33]
