GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Trey Burton was recently driving along the streets of Tampa, where he now lives, on the way to pick up the kids. It was a typical day for a normal parent, a life far removed from that of a standout college football player or participant in one of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history.

Burton turned 34 last month and played his final snap in the NFL five years ago. He stayed in playing shape for a while, but when it became clear that his career was over, Burton rushed into the next chapter: husband to Yesenia, father to daughters Ariella and Kaia, and son Jaxon.

“I’ve been really busy with them,” he said. “I’ve been enjoying my time being able to be with them.”

One day, Burton might be helping coach his son’s Pop Warner team, the next cheering on one of his daughters at a volleyball tournament. These days, they are the athletes of the family.

But this week, they get a reminder of what pops used to do when Burton is inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. There is a meet-and-greet event Tuesday night in Bradenton at LECOM Park – spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates – and the induction ceremony on Wednesday night at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

Once the festivities are over, fans who visit the FSHOF at the MidFlorida Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie can check out memorabilia from Burton’s career as well as that of the six other inductees in the 2025 class: former big league manager Jim Leyland, former Bucs running back Mike Alstott, FSU softball coach Lonni Alameda, motocross legend Ricky Carmichael, former Sarasota High baseball coach Clyde Metcalf, and late Tampa Bay Rays radio announcer Dave Wills.

And of course, when Burton’s name is mentioned, two immediate accomplishments come to mind for fans who followed Burton’s career: his six-touchdown game against Kentucky as a Gators freshman in 2010, and his touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles in Philadelphia’s win over New England in Super Bowl LII. Burton, playing tight end, took a reverse from running back Corey Clement and then tossed a 1-yard scoring pass to Foles on a play forever known as the “Philly Special,” which even has its own Wikipedia page.

How often does Burton get asked about the Philly Special?

“When I make it out of the house,” he joked. “Philly fans are very similar to Gator fans in that they are literally everywhere. You don’t go to many places where there are sports being played, where there’s not either a Philly fan or a Gator fan. It happens all the time.”

Not that Burton minds.

He spent seven years in the NFL after his UF career ended in 2013. He played four seasons with the Eagles, two for the Bears, and one with the Colts.

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, after Burton’s lone season in Indianapolis, he kept his options open as a free agent in uncertain times. Slowly, the realization hit that his playing days were over.

“I moved on pretty fast,” he said. “No teams were looking at me. I pretty much knew that was it. I spent my first year or two out of the league trying to figure out life and reintroducing myself to everybody. I’m back home down here in Florida. I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to get into next. I really haven’t found a niche yet, but I’m looking to see what’s out there.”

Burton has remained connected to the Gators as a fan, an advisory board member for Florida Victorious, and a board member of Gator Boosters. A talented recruit out of Venice (Fla.) High, Burton made history by scoring six rushing touchdowns in the fourth game of his college career.

He played his final game on Senior Day in 2013, snapping off a 50-yard run on the final snap of his college career. He was injured on the play and unable to return.

Still, Burton made his mark on the game’s biggest stage and earned praise during his NFL career for his versatility and football IQ.

“I love Trey Burton. He’s a football player now,” once said former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who is currently Stanford’s interim head coach. “That guy understands the game. He’s very athletic. He’s got good size. Some guys just know how to play. You can put them on the field and put them in any position it seems like.”

In 50 career games with Florida, he had 720 rushing yards, 976 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns. Fittingly, Burton is the 50th UF-connected member to be inducted into the FSHOF.

“I honestly didn’t expect it,” he said. “I never thought about the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. It has an excellent history.”

In Burton, the hall’s history is getting richer. He spent the bulk of his UF career playing alongside his brother, Clay Burton, and, despite a college career that started with Urban Meyer as his head coach, ended with an injury-plagued, tumultuous final season under Will Muschamp, Burton always carried himself as someone wise beyond his years.

That helped him find success in the NFL and a place in the game’s lore. He departed with no regrets, even after having to leave the field injured on his final carry.

“Life’s not fair. I’ve seen my share of fair and not fair during my four years here,” Burton said that day. “I feel like I’ve matured as a man, and I am extremely thankful for the opportunities I have had. I have grown, and I wouldn’t wish it any other way.”