In celebration of the NFL Draft, we've asked the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to share some of their thoughts and recollections from when they were drafted. Follow a Hall of Famer as he takes a trip down memory lane, and relive draft history.
As a defensive back at Jackson State, Lem Barney was quite aware that he would be drafted into the National Football League. Several scouts from NFL teams visited the talented defender and kick returner during his collegiate career.
"The question was whether it would be a number 1 or 2," Barney shared recently with www.profootballhof.com.
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| Lem Barney |
Three teams in particular showed the most interest in Lem. He recalled how scouts from the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Giants spent a fair amount of time checking out his talents on the gridiron. In fact, Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell, who scouted for the Giants was at Jackson State's games nearly every week.
"He encouraged me and told me that I would revolutionize the league," Barney reminisced about his visits with Tunnell, who retired as the game's all-time leading pass interceptor.
On the day of the draft, Barney returned to his dormitory for a nap following a workout. Suddenly, he was awakened to take a phone call from his mother. Lem's mom informed her son that the Detroit Lions had just drafted him. Soon after, the Lions contacted Barney and he was brought to the Motor City for a press conference that also included the team's number one draft pick, Mel Farr.
For the next 11 seasons Barney worked to make Tunnell's prediction come true as Lem's style of quickly backpedaling shaped the way defensive backs played. As a rookie, he tied for the league lead in interceptions and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Aside from his 56 career interceptions for 1,077 yards, Barney added 1,312 yards on punt returns and 1,274 yards on kickoff returns. In 1992, he became the fifth cornerback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Hall of Famers Taken in the 1967 NFL Draft
Bob Griese, G, Los Angeles Rams - 1st round (2nd overall)
Alan Page, DE, Minnesota Vikings - 1st round (15th overall)
Gene Upshaw, G/T, Oakland Raiders - 1st round (17th overall)
Willie Lanier, LB, Kansas City Chiefs - 2nd round (50th overall)
Ken Houston, S, Houston Oilers - 9th round (214th overall)