Ex-Big Ten All-American accused of sexually assaulting 7-year-old child

A Hall-of-Fame defensive lineman at the University of Wisconsin faces charges after allegedly having sex with a 7-year-old girl, according to reports.

Tom Burke, 44, was charged with criminal sexual conduct with the child, according to Fox 21.

The victim told Minnesota police that Burke performed a sex act on her, according to the report. The victim told officers that the assaults happened as many as five times in her bed at her home. The girl also said that Burke touched her genitals.

Burke denied any sexual contact with the child and believed the victim’s mother was out to get him.

He was arrested and booked into jail earlier this week. Burke was released after posting $100,000 bail.

In June 2020, Burke was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. He played for the school from 1995 to 1998 and set a record for most sacks in a season. He later played in the NFL for Arizona Cardinals until 2002.

While at Wisconsin, Burke was voted an All-American in 1998 and the Big Ten defensive player of the year.