He played college football for the Grambling State Tigers and was selected in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions; he appeared in two games for the team.
Milburn played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1992 and 1993, before spending time with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals in 1994.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.