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Barney Lem

Barney Lem | American Football Players Whose Last Name Starts with L

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"Barney, Lem"

You will need to be in a full back-pedal to prepare to witness the incredible ball-hawking prowess of Lem Barney, a true gridiron legend and one of the most exciting defensive backs in football history. This video highlights the Hall of Famer's electrifying career, marked by game-changing interceptions and breathtaking returns.

From his dominant college days at Jackson State to his unforgettable NFL debut with the Detroit Lions, Barney consistently turned defense into instant offense. Discover why this Pro Bowl stalwart and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year remains a celebrated icon, whose playmaking ability defined an era and still resonates in football lore.

Find more photos and a Big thanks to the image above courtesy of NFL Past Players - Lem Barney

  • DOB: September 08
  • EVENTDAY: September 08
  • FOOTBALL NAME: Barney Lem, Lem Barney
  • FOOTBALL POSITION: Defensive Back
  • FOOTBALL TEAM: Detroit Lions
  • NFL JERSEY: Number 20
  • OTHER: Jackson State
  • SPORTS: Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • HASHTAGS: #September08 #BarneyLem #LemBarney #DefensiveBack #DetroitLions #Number20 #JacksonState #ProFootballHallofFame
FOOTBALL NAME | Barney Lem

"Lem Barney: The Intercepting Artistry of the Ball-Hawking Lion"

September 8, 1945 - Lem Barney was a cornerback out of Jackson State University. The six-foot 188 188-pound defensive back was a 3-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 of 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 and did a forward shoulder roll, got up and ran into the endzone, I think 24 yards. And I said Man, this is going to be easy." He certainly made it look easy, as he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.  Not only did the speedster play the corner, but he was also an excellent kick returner and his team's emergency punter. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Lem Barney in the class of 1992.
Lemuel Jackson Barney, born on September 8, 1945, in Gulfport, Mississippi, became one of the most electrifying defensive backs in professional football history. His career was marked by incredible ball skills, versatility, and a flair for the dramatic, making him a true legend of the Detroit Lions franchise...