Lemuel Joseph (Lem) Barney

Lemuel Joseph “Lem” Barney

Detroit Lions Player (1967 - 1977)

Lem Barney was born in Gulfport, Mississippi and played quarterback at 33rd Avenue High School. He went on to play football at Jackson State where he was a three-time All-Conference player as a defensive back and punter. He was selected in the second round of the 1967 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he would go on to play his entire eleven-year NFL career with the Lions. He earned Pro Bowl honors in seven seasons as well as being a two-time First-team All-Pro and the 1967 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Barney ended his Lions career with 56 interceptions and 10 touchdowns. Lem Barney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1986, the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.