From Unknown Rookie to Lockdown Legend: The Explosive Career of Lem Barney

On September 8, 1945, the great Lem Barney was born. He was a cornerback out of Jackson State University.

The 6-foot, 188-pound defensive back was a three-time all-conference player in the Southwestern Conference during college, but was still relatively unknown when the Detroit Lions drafted him in the second round in the 1967 NFL Draft. Lem started his professional career in spectacular style. In a quote from Barney on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, the defender described his first play in the NFL as, “I dove and intercepted it, did a forward shoulder roll, got up, and ran in the end zone, I think 24 yards.”

And I said, Man, this is gonna be easy. He sure made it look easy, as he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Not only did this speedster play the corner, but he was also an excellent kick returner and his team’s emergency punter.

College Career

Lem Barney attended Jackson State University (a historically Black College and University, or HBCU) from 1964 to 1966. A three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) star, Barney was a prolific defensive back who amassed an incredible 26 career interceptions, setting a school record. His versatility was evident as he also served as a standout punter and return specialist. His big-play ability at Jackson State, where he once had a 98-yard kickoff return, foreshadowed the explosive impact he would make at the professional level.

Road to the Pro Game

Despite his stellar college career, Barney was a relative unknown when the Detroit Lions selected him in the second round (34th overall) of the 1967 NFL Draft. The transition was immediate and spectacular. In his very first NFL game, he intercepted a pass from Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr and returned it for a touchdown. Barney went on to lead the NFL with 10 interceptions as a rookie, three of which he returned for touchdowns, earning him the 1967 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He quickly became one of the league’s most respected cornerbacks and a feared return man, playing his entire 11-season career (1967–1977) with the Lions.

Football Legacy

Barney’s legacy is defined by his ability to excel at the game’s most demanding positions. He was a complete “shut-down” cornerback and a triple-threat specialist who could change the momentum of a game in an instant with an interception or a return touchdown. His 56 career interceptions remain second in Lions history, and his 11 career touchdowns (7 interception returns, 2 punt returns, 1 kickoff return, and 1 missed field goal return) showcase his unmatched playmaking ability. Off the field, he gained a measure of celebrity, notably singing backup vocals on Marvin Gaye’s iconic 1971 album, What’s Going On. Barney was enshrined as a cornerstone of the Lions franchise and an all-time great from the HBCU ranks.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Lem Barney in the class of 1992.

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

• Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1992
• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: 1967
• 7x Pro Bowl Selection: (1967–1969, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976)
• 2x First-team All-Pro: (1968, 1969)
• NFL Interceptions Co-Leader: 1967 (10 Interceptions)
• NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
• Detroit Lions Retired Number: No. 20 (Shared with Barry Sanders and Billy Sims)
• Pride of the Lions Ring of Honor
• Career Stats (11 Seasons, 140 Games): 56 Interceptions, 1,077 Interception Return Yards, 7 Interception Return Touchdowns, 11 Total Career Touchdowns (on defense and returns).