Lem Barney

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Lem Barney
Date of birth	September 8, 1945 (age 61)
Place of birth	Gulfport, Mississippi
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	189 lb (86 kg)
Position(s)	Cornerback
College	Jackson State
NFL Draft	1967 / Round 2/ Pick 34
Career Highlights
Pro Bowls	1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977
Awards	1967 AP Defensive R.O.Y.
Honors	NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
Statistics	CBS.com DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1967-1977	Detroit Lions
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1992

Lemuel Jackson Barney (Born September 8, 1945, in Gulfport, Mississippi) is a former American Football cornerback who played for the Detroit Lions.

[edit] College Years

Barney attended Jackson State University (Mississippi) where he was a three-time All-Southwestern Conference star with 26 career interceptions.

[edit] Pro career

Barney was a second round draft choice in 1967. He was named 1967's defensive rookie of the year, and went on to be selected to seven Pro Bowls. During his time in the NFL, Barney had 56 career interceptions, and also gained over 1000 yards each returning kickoffs and punts. He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

In 1999, he was ranked number 97 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

Both Barney and Lions teammate Mel Farr befriended Motown star Marvin Gaye, when Gaye unsuccessfully tried out for the Lions in 1970. Barney and Farr sing background vocals on Gaye's classic 1971 song "What's Going On". Lem Barney also had a role in the film The Black Six.