Lem Barney

Lore & Background

Barney 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.

Reader's Guide

Barney was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round, 34th overall pick, of the 1967 NFL draft. As a rookie in 1967, he appeared in all 14 games as a starting cornerback and led the NFL with 10 interceptions, 232 interception return yards and three interceptions returned for touchdowns. After an injury to Pat Studstill, Barney also took over as the Lions' punter, punting 47 times for an average of 37.4 yards in 1967. On September 17, 1967, in the first quarter of his first NFL game, Barney intercepted the first pass thrown in his direction by Bart Starr and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. In the final game of his rookie season, Barney intercepted three passes within ten minutes and returned one 71 yards for a touchdown. At the end of the 1967 season, he was selected by the Associated Press as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. After the 1967 season, Barney played in the 1968 Pro Bowl, and in the off-season, he was married and also served six months of active duty in the Navy. Barney went on to be selected to seven Pro Bowls and was selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1968 and 1969. During his 11 years in the NFL, Barney had 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 as well as 50 kickoff returns for 1,274 yards, including a 98-yard return for touchdown.

Did You Know?

• Barney was an accomplished singer who sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye's 1971 song 'What's Going On'.
• He had a brief acting career, including a self-portrayal in the 1968 comedy 'Paper Lion' and a starring role in the 1973 film 'The Black Six'.
• In 2006, Barney published an autobiography titled 'The Supernatural: Lem Barney'.
• His nephew Milton Barney also played in the NFL.