Lem Barney

Lore & Background

Barney was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, on September 8, 1945. He attended 33rd Avenue High School in Gulfport, where he played quarterback. He attended Jackson State University and played for the Tigers from 1964 to 1966 under head coach Rod Paige. He had 26 career interceptions at Jackson State, including nine in 1965 and 11 in 1966. He also had punt averages of 41.7 and 42.5 in those two seasons. He was an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection three straight years and was selected as an All-American by Ebony magazine and the Pittsburgh Courier. In the NFL, he played 11 seasons for the Lions, recording 56 interceptions, 1,011 interception return yards, and seven interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also returned 143 punts for 1,312 yards and three touchdowns, and 50 kickoff returns for 1,274 yards, including a 98-yard return for touchdown. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was first-team All-NFL in 1968 and 1969. After retiring, he worked in public affairs for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, as a football broadcaster on BET and on preseason games for the Lions, and at the Detroit Medical Center. He published an autobiography in 2006 titled 'The Supernatural: Lem Barney'.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across Pontiac Silverdome as the fourth quarter ticked away, the score tied in a brutal December showdown. Lem Barney stood at the line, his breath visible in the freezing air, eyes locked on the receiver lining up opposite him. With no time left on the clock and the game hanging in the balance, the quarterback dropped back, scanning for an opening. Barney read the play before it unfolded, exploding forward with a burst of speed that seemed to defy gravity. He met the pass mid-air, snatching the ball from the receiver's hands just inches above the sideline. The crowd erupted as he landed, clutching the interception tight, his helmet gleaming under the stadium lights—a moment that would become etched in Lions lore forever.

Reader's Guide

Lem Barney is best known as a Hall of Fame cornerback and return specialist for the Detroit Lions from 1967 to 1977. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions as a rookie in 1967 and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played in seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 1968 and 1969. His jersey number 20 was retired by the Lions in 2004 in tribute to Barney, Billy Sims, and Barry Sanders. He also sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye's 1971 song 'What's Going On'.

Did You Know?

• Lem Barney intercepted the first pass thrown in his direction in his first NFL game, returning it 24 yards for a touchdown against Bart Starr.
• In the final game of his rookie season, Barney intercepted three passes within ten minutes and returned one 71 yards for a touchdown.
• Barney sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye's classic 1971 song 'What's Going On'.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, with his position coach Jim David giving the induction speech.
• Barney's jersey number 20 was retired by the Lions in 2004, shared with Billy Sims and Barry Sanders.