Some sad news on a Saturday for the Detroit Lions and OnePride world. Lions legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Lem Barney has passed away. Barney was 80.
Fans of a certain age remember Barney as the original Lions star to wear No. 20, before Billy Sims and Barry Sanders. A cornerback and return specialist, Barney played in Detroit for his entire 11-year NFL career, ending 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 singer for Marvin Gaye, and became an advocate for concussion awareness later in his post-playing career.
Barney was a great one. Rest in peace, No. 20.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions legend and Hall of Famer Lem Barney has passed away
