

We all know parents are superheroes, right? But the support these Buckeye parents are showing their injured cornerback? That’s next level! Denzel Burke was sidelined with an upper-body injury during the Texas game—28-14 Buckeye victory, no biggie—but he’s back for the big dance, the National Championship! And the coolest part?
You know those parents you see in the stands? They’ve been his biggest cheerleaders throughout this whole ordeal. True champions, those Buckeye parents.
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Who is Denzel Burke’s dad?
Denzel Burke’s father is Zafiro Burke. Since 2016, he has been employed at Conn’s HomePlus as a Warehouse Operations Manager. Denzel’s sporting career has received active support from Zafiro, who regularly attends his games and posts pictures of their time together on social media. You could argue that Zafiro was Denzel’s boyhood football coach and mentor. And acknowledging those facts, Denzel posted a heartfelt caption along with a photo of himself and his dad on Father’s Day.
The post wrote, “Happy Father’s Day Dad❤️, I have no idea where i’d be without you. Thank you for the unlimited support, mentoring me, teaching me the game of life and to be a man. I love you more than you know.❤️.” Not only this, Zafiro has frequently referred to Denzel as his best buddy and emphasized the value of family in their life, demonstrating his strong bond with his son. He has been instrumental in helping Denzel make decisions and pursue his sporting goals.
Happy Father’s Day Dad❤️, I have no idea where i’d be without you. Thank you for the unlimited support, mentoring me, teaching me the game of life and to be a man. I love you more than you know.❤️ @zafiro_burke pic.twitter.com/SjAIffyQPR
— Denzel Burke (@DenzelBurke10) June 21, 2020
And in 2022, when OSU badly lost to Michigan in ‘The Game’, his father became his main strength. Zafiro Burke said, “I remember when the game started my son got burned on one play, and I knew already it was not going to be a good day. It was just a bad vibe that day, and we have to live with that.”
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Is the unwavering support from Denzel Burke's parents the key to his resilience and success?
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Besides this, Zafiro has been active in many facets of his son’s career. From early basketball experiences to football accomplishments, he demonstrates his dedication to Denzel’s success. However, we cannot overlook Denzel Burke’s mother’s participation in all of this. She’s the real MVP, always there to cheer him on, making his journey as beautiful as a bed of roses.
Who is Denzel Burke’s mom?
Denzel Burke’s mother is Deya Burke. Although not much is known about her personal or professional life, Denzel’s mom has always been his biggest supporter. He once posted a picture of her and his dad on his 16th birthday, saying, “Blessed to see 16 years❤️ Without them, nothing is possible.” That pretty much sums it up.
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She’s not just his mom; she’s his biggest cheerleader, helping him build his brand. And you know what’s awesome? She never misses a game. You’ll always see her and his dad cheering him on at the stadium. Hope they don’t miss the National Championship game!
Where did Denzel grow up?
Phoenix, Arizona, is where Denzel Burke was raised. This is where his football career began. Before going to Saguaro High School in Scottsdale for his final year, he first attended Brophy College Preparatory. He has shown his flexibility by playing both DB and WR in high school. Even though he was only able to play in one game during his senior year due to an injury, 247Sports ranked him as a four-star recruit, placing him among the top 250 national prospects.
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Then, Burke made the commitment to play for the OSU, a team that produces top-tier cornerbacks, after high school. As a true freshman, he started 13 games and made an instant impression in 2021. With 35 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and one interception, he was rewarded with a third-team All-Big Ten player and All-American recognition. The rest is history.
This guy’s a lock for the NFL Draft. He’s going to shatter records for starts at corner for the Buckeyes this year. NFL teams are going to be drooling over him. But first things first, let’s see if he can help Ohio State bring home that national championship
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Is the unwavering support from Denzel Burke's parents the key to his resilience and success?