Fans of a certain age remember Barney as the original Lions star, wearing number 20 before Billy Sims and Barry Sanders. A cornerback and return specialist, Barney played in Detroit for his entire 11-year NFL career, which ended in 1977. He was the NFL’s Rookie of the Year in 1967, a season in which he led the NFL with 10 interceptions and three pick-sixes. Barney finished his career with 56 interceptions, 25 forced fumbles, and 10 total touchdowns between seven INT returns and three kick returns.
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Barney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He also earned a Grammy as a backing vocalist for Marvin Gaye, and later became an advocate for concussion awareness in his post-playing career.
Barney was a great guy. Rest in peace, number 20.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions legend and Hall of Famer Lem Barney has died
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