Carnell Lake UCLA and Steelers Great

July 15, 1967, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Carnell Lake excelled as a versatile defensive back in the NFL after a standout career at UCLA.  

College Career:

Carnell Lake played linebacker for the UCLA Bruins from 1985 to 1988. He was a dominant force, leading the Pac-10 in sacks in 1987 with a UCLA single-season record of 13. Lake earned First-team All-Pac-10 honors twice (1987, 1988) and was recognized as a First-team All-American in 1988 and a Second-team All-American in 1987. By the end of his Bruins career, he held the school record for career tackles for loss (45.5) and ranked fourth in career sacks (25.5). His exceptional play contributed to UCLA's impressive 37-9-2 record and four consecutive bowl victories. He was also a National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Lake was drafted in the second round (34th overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Initially a linebacker in college, he transitioned to safety in the NFL and later showcased his versatility by playing cornerback. He spent ten seasons with the Steelers (1989-1998), becoming a cornerstone of their defense. Following his time in Pittsburgh, Lake played for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1999-2000) and the Baltimore Ravens (2001). In his first eleven NFL seasons, he started every game he played in, missing only six regular-season contests.  

Football Legacy:

Carnell Lake established himself as one of the premier defensive backs of the 1990s, earning a spot on the NFL's All-Decade Team. Known for his athleticism, intelligence, and adaptability, he excelled at both safety and cornerback, earning Pro Bowl selections at both positions. His leadership and consistent high-level performance were crucial to the Pittsburgh Steelers' success, including their appearance in Super Bowl XXX. In 1997, while playing cornerback, he led the Steelers in sacks, earning First-team All-Pro honors and even receiving a vote for league MVP. Lake's versatility and sustained excellence over 12 NFL seasons solidified his place as a highly respected player. He was inducted into the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor in 2021 and the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ First-team All-Pro (1997)  

✦ 4x Second-team All-Pro (1992, 1994, 1995, 1999)  

✦ 5x Pro Bowl (1994-1997, 1999)  

✦ NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

✦ PFWA All-Rookie Team (1989)  

✦ Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team

✦ Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor (2021)  

✦ Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame

✦ First-team All-American (1988)  

✦ Second-team All-American (1987)  

✦ 2x First-team All-Pac-10 (1987, 1988)  

✦ UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame (2000)

✦ Career NFL Stats: 185 games played (171 starts), 823 tackles (361 solo), 25.0 sacks, 16 interceptions, 15 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, 3 defensive touchdowns.

Sources and related content
Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com