- Enjoyed his first full season as a pro in 2011, joining NT B.J. Raji as the only two Green Bay defensive players to start all 16 games during the regular season.
- Was one of only two players on the team (CB Charles Woodson) to record a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 2011.
- In 2010, joined Nick Collins in becoming only the second Packers rookie to open the season as a starter at safety since Chuck Cecil in 1988.
- Started the first four games of his rookie season at SS before sustaining a season-ending knee injury vs. Detroit in Week 4.
- In just three seasons at Georgia Tech, intercepted 14 passes, two shy of the school’s career record.
- Earned second-team All-America and first-team All-ACC honors as a sophomore in 2008, when he picked off seven passes and posted a career-high 93 tackles.
- Packers traded up 15 spots in the third round to select him, the third straight year GM Ted Thompson traded up to select a defensive player (Jeremy Thompson in 2008, Clay Matthews in 2009).
- Ran back four interceptions for TDs over his final two high school seasons.
Pro Highlights:
- Started each of the team’s 16 regular-season games in 2011, the first two at strong safety and the final 14 at free safety in place of an injured Nick Collins (neck), one of only two Green Bay defenders to start all 16 games (NT B.J. Raji).
- Suffered a hand injury in practice in advance of the team’s Week 6 contest vs. St. Louis, but remained in the lineup and played the ensuing six games with a cast on.
- Despite the injury, he continued to fill in the statistics sheet in first full season of action, establishing new career bests with a secondary-high 107 tackles (83 solo), 14 passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack.
- Posted three INTs in the season’s first three games, and combined with his one in the first four games of 2010, became the first Packer since S Chuck Cecil in 1988 to have four INTs in his first seven NFL games.
- Started the first four games at SS before his rookie campaign was cut short by a season-ending knee injury (ACL) sustained in Week 4. Became just the second Packers rookie to open the season as a starter at safety since Cecil in 1988, joining Collins (2005).
- Was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the No. 71 overall pick. Green Bay traded up 15 spots from No. 86 to get him, surrendering that selection plus a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles, the third straight year GM Ted Thompson moved up in the draft to select a defensive player.
2011 SEASON: Hit the ground running in training camp, quickly reclaiming his starting position at SS opposite the veteran Collins in the defensive backfield…Wound up starting all 16 games of the regular season, joining Raji as the only two defensive players to do so…Opened the first two games at SS, but played out the remaining 14 at FS following a season-ending neck injury to Collins in Week 2…Suffered an injury of his own when he sustained a fracture in his right hand during practice leading up to the team’s Week 6 game vs. St. Louis…Played the ensuing six contests with a cast covering his hand, but still managed to set career highs in every major statistical category…Led the secondary and finished second on the team with 107 tackles (83 solo) and posted 14 passes defensed, three INTs, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack…Joined CB Charles Woodson as the only two players on the team to record a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the season…Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8): Started his first regular-season game since Week 4 of 2010 and picked up where he left off, posting a career-high and team-leading 14 tackles (nine solo) from the SS position. Most critical tackle came on the game’s final play, when he came over the top of the first wave of defenders at the goal line and teamed with LB Clay Matthews to stop RB Mark Ingram from advancing as time expired, preserving the 42-34 win…At Carolina (Sept. 18): Showed his dynamic array of skills throughout the game, finishing with three tackles (all solo), a sack, a forced fumble and an INT. Forced fumble came when he punched the ball out from WR Steve Smith following a 25-yard gain in the third quarter and it was recovered by Woodson. On the following possession, made his third career INT on an overthrown ball by former Atlanta high school foe, QB Cam Newton. Was in a deep zone behind WR Legedu Naanee, who was running to the post when the ball sailed beyond his hands and Burnett dove at the Carolina 49 to pick it off. First career sack came later when his coverage responsibility, TE Greg Olsen, stayed in to block and he chased a rolling Newton to the right sideline, dropping him for a 3-yard loss. Became the first Packers defender since Woodson (Nov. 26, 2009, at Detroit) to record a sack, INT and forced fumble in the same game…At Chicago (Sept. 25): Led the secondary and placed second on the defense with six tackles (all solo) and two passes defensed, posting the first two-INT game of his young career. Flashed his impressive range on the first INT in the first quarter when he came from the hashes to haul in a deep QB Jay Cutler pass intended for WR Roy Williams along the Chicago sideline. The second INT came early in the fourth quarter when he was in zone coverage behind Williams. Cutler sailed the throw and he reached back high and to his left to secure the ball before being tackled. With the two INTs, became the first Packer since Cecil in 1988 to record four INTs in his first seven NFL games. Also teamed with Woodson to become the first Packers teammates to register two-INT games in back-to-back weeks since Cecil and CB Ron Pitts did so in Weeks 5-6 in 1988…Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16): Suffered a fracture in his right hand at practice during the week and played the game with a club cast. Still managed to place third on the defense with 10 tackles (five solo) and his second forced fumble of the season. Lowered his shoulder into the back of RB Steven Jackson on a fourth-quarter carry, jarring the ball loose on impact, though it was recovered by St. Louis…At N.Y. Giants (Dec. 4): Finished with six tackles (all solo) and a career-high three passes defensed...Vs. Detroit (Jan. 1): Made six tackles (five solo) and added two passes defensed and a fumble recovery. Was involved in his fifth turnover play of the season when he picked up a fumble caused by LB Desmond Bishop in the first quarter and returned it 15 yards. The Green Bay offense would score a TD seven plays later…Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Made his playoff debut, finishing with five tackles (four solo), two passes defensed and an INT. The INT came in the second quarter after he’d dropped into a zone coverage and dove forward to catch an overthrown pass from QB Eli Manning intended for WR Hakeem Nicks, returning it 12 yards on what was the Giants’ lone turnover of the game.
2010: Opened the first four games of the season at SS before sustaining a season-ending ACL injury to his left knee in Week 4 vs. Detroit…Recorded 15 tackles (12 solo) and an interception in four games…Placed on injured reserve, Oct. 7…At Philadelphia (Sept. 12): Joined teammate Collins (2005) as the only Packers rookie safeties to start a season opener since Cecil in 1988. Recorded four tackles (three solo), tied for second among DBs, in his NFL debut. Part of a secondary that limited WRs Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson to a combined eight catches for 68 yards. Along with CB Sam Shields, who started at nickel CB, became the first Green Bay rookie defensive-back tandem to start the season opener since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. They were the first rookie duo to both start a regular-season game in the secondary since Collins and CB Mike Hawkins did so at Baltimore (Dec. 19, 2005)…Vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19): Posted first career interception in the 34-7 win over his former college coach, Bills head coach Chan Gailey. On the Bills’ opening drive of the fourth quarter, attacked the line of scrimmage before the snap and met WR Roscoe Parrish immediately as a Trent Edwards pass arrived, wrestling the ball away for his first career INT at the Green Bay 43. The turnover led to a five-play, 52-yard TD drive that put the Packers ahead, 34-7. Added four tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed, including a stop of RB Marshawn Lynch for no gain up the middle on the play before his INT…Vs. Detroit (Oct. 3): Posted three tackles (two solo) in 23 snaps, but suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, ending his debut season…2010 Draft: Selected by the Packers in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick. Green Bay traded up 15 spots, from No. 86, to get him by surrendering that selection plus a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles, the third straight year Thompson moved up in the draft to select a defensive player. Became the first player drafted by the Packers out of Georgia Tech since WR Charlie Simmons (sixth round, 1995) and was the highest-drafted safety out of Georgia Tech since Travares Tillman (Buffalo, 2000, second round, No. 58 overall).
COLLEGE: Intercepted 14 passes in three seasons for the Yellow Jackets, tied for second most in school history behind only the 16 of Willie Clay (1988-91)…Also compiled 235 career tackles (147 solo), eighth most by a Georgia Tech defensive back and just five tackles shy of cracking the top five…Played in 40 career games, starting 28, with all but one start coming at S (the other at CB)…Had 13½ tackles for loss, including one sack, plus two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 27 passes defensed…Majored in management…Junior season (2009): A second-team All-ACC pick and team captain, was a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski awards…Started all 14 games despite playing four contests with a cast on his hand for a broken thumb, leading the team in INTs for the third straight year and ranking second in tackles…Registered 85 tackles (48 solo), four tackles for loss, four INTs, eight passes defensed, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…Intercepted two passes for the third time in his career vs. North Carolina (Sept. 26), earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance…Sophomore season (2008): Started all 13 games and earned first-team All-America honors from The NFL Draft Report and second-team recognition from Rivals.com, Sports Illustrated and Sporting News…Led the ACC with seven INTs, the most by a Tech player since 1991 and tied for fourth most in a single season in school history…Named first-team All-ACC and led the team in total tackles (93) and solo tackles (62), recording double-digit tackles in four games…Had seven tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 15 total passes defensed…Picked off a Matthew Stafford pass at Georgia (Nov. 29) and returned it 35 yards for his lone career TD in a 45-42 win…Freshman season (2007): Played in all 13 games with one start…Saw action at both safety spots and as nickel back…Named to the ACC All-Freshman team and honorable mention Freshman All-America by Sporting News…Ranked fifth on the team with 57 tackles (37 solo) and first with three INTs, breaking up 10 passes altogether, six in the season’s final three games…Added 2½ tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.
PERSONAL: Given name Morgan Mark Burnett…Nickamed “Uno”…Born in East Point, Ga. …Engaged, fiancée’s name is Nicolette...Has a 4-year-old son, Morgan Jr. …Brother, Cap Jr., played football at the University of Georgia from 1999-2002…High school: A four-year starter and three-year team captain at North Clayton High (College Park, Ga.)…By Rivals.com, was rated the No. 6 player in Georgia, the No. 7 safety in the nation, and the No. 84 player overall in the national Top 100…Rated the No. 5 prospect in the state by SuperPrep, was a member of the Super 11 squad selected by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and was named to the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern team…Played RB, QB, WR and DB…Earned Class 4A first-team all-state honors as a senior, when he recorded 135 tackles and six INTs, returning three for TDs, and added 1,100 yards rushing, 875 yards receiving and 650 yards passing on offense…Also was named Atlanta Touchdown Club Defensive Back of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for Clayton/Henry counties…As a junior, compiled 101 tackles and five INTs, returning one for a score, and had 950 yards rushing, 800 passing and 620 receiving…Earned honorable mention all-state recognition at QB as a sophomore…Had his jersey, No. 1, retired by the school in April 2011…Also was a four-year letterman in track and a three-year letterwinner in basketball…Community involvement: Participated in a fundraiser by cleaning up around his high school to help raise money for a female student with cancer…Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing video games and watching movies…Lists Troy Polamalu as one of his favorite athletes…Residence: College Park, Ga.
- Enjoyed his first full season as a pro in 2011, joining NT B.J. Raji as the only two Green Bay defensive players to start all 16 games during the regular season.
- Was one of only two players on the team (CB Charles Woodson) to record a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 2011.
- In 2010, joined Nick Collins in becoming only the second Packers rookie to open the season as a starter at safety since Chuck Cecil in 1988.
- Started the first four games of his rookie season at SS before sustaining a season-ending knee injury vs. Detroit in Week 4.
- In just three seasons at Georgia Tech, intercepted 14 passes, two shy of the school’s career record.
- Earned second-team All-America and first-team All-ACC honors as a sophomore in 2008, when he picked off seven passes and posted a career-high 93 tackles.
- Packers traded up 15 spots in the third round to select him, the third straight year GM Ted Thompson traded up to select a defensive player (Jeremy Thompson in 2008, Clay Matthews in 2009).
- Ran back four interceptions for TDs over his final two high school seasons.
Pro Highlights:
- Started each of the team’s 16 regular-season games in 2011, the first two at strong safety and the final 14 at free safety in place of an injured Nick Collins (neck), one of only two Green Bay defenders to start all 16 games (NT B.J. Raji).
- Suffered a hand injury in practice in advance of the team’s Week 6 contest vs. St. Louis, but remained in the lineup and played the ensuing six games with a cast on.
- Despite the injury, he continued to fill in the statistics sheet in first full season of action, establishing new career bests with a secondary-high 107 tackles (83 solo), 14 passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack.
- Posted three INTs in the season’s first three games, and combined with his one in the first four games of 2010, became the first Packer since S Chuck Cecil in 1988 to have four INTs in his first seven NFL games.
- Started the first four games at SS before his rookie campaign was cut short by a season-ending knee injury (ACL) sustained in Week 4. Became just the second Packers rookie to open the season as a starter at safety since Cecil in 1988, joining Collins (2005).
- Was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the No. 71 overall pick. Green Bay traded up 15 spots from No. 86 to get him, surrendering that selection plus a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles, the third straight year GM Ted Thompson moved up in the draft to select a defensive player.
2011 SEASON: Hit the ground running in training camp, quickly reclaiming his starting position at SS opposite the veteran Collins in the defensive backfield…Wound up starting all 16 games of the regular season, joining Raji as the only two defensive players to do so…Opened the first two games at SS, but played out the remaining 14 at FS following a season-ending neck injury to Collins in Week 2…Suffered an injury of his own when he sustained a fracture in his right hand during practice leading up to the team’s Week 6 game vs. St. Louis…Played the ensuing six contests with a cast covering his hand, but still managed to set career highs in every major statistical category…Led the secondary and finished second on the team with 107 tackles (83 solo) and posted 14 passes defensed, three INTs, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack…Joined CB Charles Woodson as the only two players on the team to record a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the season…Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8): Started his first regular-season game since Week 4 of 2010 and picked up where he left off, posting a career-high and team-leading 14 tackles (nine solo) from the SS position. Most critical tackle came on the game’s final play, when he came over the top of the first wave of defenders at the goal line and teamed with LB Clay Matthews to stop RB Mark Ingram from advancing as time expired, preserving the 42-34 win…At Carolina (Sept. 18): Showed his dynamic array of skills throughout the game, finishing with three tackles (all solo), a sack, a forced fumble and an INT. Forced fumble came when he punched the ball out from WR Steve Smith following a 25-yard gain in the third quarter and it was recovered by Woodson. On the following possession, made his third career INT on an overthrown ball by former Atlanta high school foe, QB Cam Newton. Was in a deep zone behind WR Legedu Naanee, who was running to the post when the ball sailed beyond his hands and Burnett dove at the Carolina 49 to pick it off. First career sack came later when his coverage responsibility, TE Greg Olsen, stayed in to block and he chased a rolling Newton to the right sideline, dropping him for a 3-yard loss. Became the first Packers defender since Woodson (Nov. 26, 2009, at Detroit) to record a sack, INT and forced fumble in the same game…At Chicago (Sept. 25): Led the secondary and placed second on the defense with six tackles (all solo) and two passes defensed, posting the first two-INT game of his young career. Flashed his impressive range on the first INT in the first quarter when he came from the hashes to haul in a deep QB Jay Cutler pass intended for WR Roy Williams along the Chicago sideline. The second INT came early in the fourth quarter when he was in zone coverage behind Williams. Cutler sailed the throw and he reached back high and to his left to secure the ball before being tackled. With the two INTs, became the first Packer since Cecil in 1988 to record four INTs in his first seven NFL games. Also teamed with Woodson to become the first Packers teammates to register two-INT games in back-to-back weeks since Cecil and CB Ron Pitts did so in Weeks 5-6 in 1988…Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16): Suffered a fracture in his right hand at practice during the week and played the game with a club cast. Still managed to place third on the defense with 10 tackles (five solo) and his second forced fumble of the season. Lowered his shoulder into the back of RB Steven Jackson on a fourth-quarter carry, jarring the ball loose on impact, though it was recovered by St. Louis…At N.Y. Giants (Dec. 4): Finished with six tackles (all solo) and a career-high three passes defensed...Vs. Detroit (Jan. 1): Made six tackles (five solo) and added two passes defensed and a fumble recovery. Was involved in his fifth turnover play of the season when he picked up a fumble caused by LB Desmond Bishop in the first quarter and returned it 15 yards. The Green Bay offense would score a TD seven plays later…Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Made his playoff debut, finishing with five tackles (four solo), two passes defensed and an INT. The INT came in the second quarter after he’d dropped into a zone coverage and dove forward to catch an overthrown pass from QB Eli Manning intended for WR Hakeem Nicks, returning it 12 yards on what was the Giants’ lone turnover of the game.
2010: Opened the first four games of the season at SS before sustaining a season-ending ACL injury to his left knee in Week 4 vs. Detroit…Recorded 15 tackles (12 solo) and an interception in four games…Placed on injured reserve, Oct. 7…At Philadelphia (Sept. 12): Joined teammate Collins (2005) as the only Packers rookie safeties to start a season opener since Cecil in 1988. Recorded four tackles (three solo), tied for second among DBs, in his NFL debut. Part of a secondary that limited WRs Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson to a combined eight catches for 68 yards. Along with CB Sam Shields, who started at nickel CB, became the first Green Bay rookie defensive-back tandem to start the season opener since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. They were the first rookie duo to both start a regular-season game in the secondary since Collins and CB Mike Hawkins did so at Baltimore (Dec. 19, 2005)…Vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19): Posted first career interception in the 34-7 win over his former college coach, Bills head coach Chan Gailey. On the Bills’ opening drive of the fourth quarter, attacked the line of scrimmage before the snap and met WR Roscoe Parrish immediately as a Trent Edwards pass arrived, wrestling the ball away for his first career INT at the Green Bay 43. The turnover led to a five-play, 52-yard TD drive that put the Packers ahead, 34-7. Added four tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed, including a stop of RB Marshawn Lynch for no gain up the middle on the play before his INT…Vs. Detroit (Oct. 3): Posted three tackles (two solo) in 23 snaps, but suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, ending his debut season…2010 Draft: Selected by the Packers in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick. Green Bay traded up 15 spots, from No. 86, to get him by surrendering that selection plus a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles, the third straight year Thompson moved up in the draft to select a defensive player. Became the first player drafted by the Packers out of Georgia Tech since WR Charlie Simmons (sixth round, 1995) and was the highest-drafted safety out of Georgia Tech since Travares Tillman (Buffalo, 2000, second round, No. 58 overall).
COLLEGE: Intercepted 14 passes in three seasons for the Yellow Jackets, tied for second most in school history behind only the 16 of Willie Clay (1988-91)…Also compiled 235 career tackles (147 solo), eighth most by a Georgia Tech defensive back and just five tackles shy of cracking the top five…Played in 40 career games, starting 28, with all but one start coming at S (the other at CB)…Had 13½ tackles for loss, including one sack, plus two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 27 passes defensed…Majored in management…Junior season (2009): A second-team All-ACC pick and team captain, was a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski awards…Started all 14 games despite playing four contests with a cast on his hand for a broken thumb, leading the team in INTs for the third straight year and ranking second in tackles…Registered 85 tackles (48 solo), four tackles for loss, four INTs, eight passes defensed, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…Intercepted two passes for the third time in his career vs. North Carolina (Sept. 26), earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance…Sophomore season (2008): Started all 13 games and earned first-team All-America honors from The NFL Draft Report and second-team recognition from Rivals.com, Sports Illustrated and Sporting News…Led the ACC with seven INTs, the most by a Tech player since 1991 and tied for fourth most in a single season in school history…Named first-team All-ACC and led the team in total tackles (93) and solo tackles (62), recording double-digit tackles in four games…Had seven tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 15 total passes defensed…Picked off a Matthew Stafford pass at Georgia (Nov. 29) and returned it 35 yards for his lone career TD in a 45-42 win…Freshman season (2007): Played in all 13 games with one start…Saw action at both safety spots and as nickel back…Named to the ACC All-Freshman team and honorable mention Freshman All-America by Sporting News…Ranked fifth on the team with 57 tackles (37 solo) and first with three INTs, breaking up 10 passes altogether, six in the season’s final three games…Added 2½ tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.
PERSONAL: Given name Morgan Mark Burnett…Nickamed “Uno”…Born in East Point, Ga. …Engaged, fiancée’s name is Nicolette...Has a 4-year-old son, Morgan Jr. …Brother, Cap Jr., played football at the University of Georgia from 1999-2002…High school: A four-year starter and three-year team captain at North Clayton High (College Park, Ga.)…By Rivals.com, was rated the No. 6 player in Georgia, the No. 7 safety in the nation, and the No. 84 player overall in the national Top 100…Rated the No. 5 prospect in the state by SuperPrep, was a member of the Super 11 squad selected by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and was named to the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern team…Played RB, QB, WR and DB…Earned Class 4A first-team all-state honors as a senior, when he recorded 135 tackles and six INTs, returning three for TDs, and added 1,100 yards rushing, 875 yards receiving and 650 yards passing on offense…Also was named Atlanta Touchdown Club Defensive Back of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for Clayton/Henry counties…As a junior, compiled 101 tackles and five INTs, returning one for a score, and had 950 yards rushing, 800 passing and 620 receiving…Earned honorable mention all-state recognition at QB as a sophomore…Had his jersey, No. 1, retired by the school in April 2011…Also was a four-year letterman in track and a three-year letterwinner in basketball…Community involvement: Participated in a fundraiser by cleaning up around his high school to help raise money for a female student with cancer…Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing video games and watching movies…Lists Troy Polamalu as one of his favorite athletes…Residence: College Park, Ga.
