Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney dies at 80

Lem Barney, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played his entire 11-season NFL career with the Lions, has died at the age of 80.

After playing as both a cornerback and punter at Jackson State, Barney went to the Lions in the second round of the 1967 NFL Draft. Barney made an immediate impact as a rookie, intercepting Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr and returning him for a touchdown on the very first pass ever thrown his way in the NFL.

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At the end of his rookie year, Barney led the NFL with 10 interceptions, 232 interception return yards and three pick-sixes. He was named both Defensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Pro at cornerback. And Barney was also the Lions’ leading punter as a rookie, finishing with an average of 37.4 yards per punt.

Barney would be a first team All-Pro two more times during his NFL career and was chosen to the Pro Bowl a total of seven times in 11 NFL seasons.

In 2004, the Lions retired jersey No. 20 and became the only NFL team to have three players’ numbers retired: Barry Sanders, Billy Sims and Barney.