Lem Barney honored during program

University Communications

Jackson State University alum and National Football League Hall of Famer Lem Barney was honored during the “Tribute to Lem Barney” program held last Wednesday at the JSU Sports Hall of Fame, on the university’s main campus. The program was sponsored by the JSU Alumni Players Association, the department of Alumni and Constituency Relations, and the department of University Communications. Eric Stringfellow, executive director of University Communications, was presider. Barney and his wife traveled from Detroit to be present at the program.

“It’s a great day to be a Tiger,” Stringfellow said at the start of the program. “We’re blessed to have one of our native sons, one of our trailblazers, in our presence.”

During his remarks, Barney said, “It’s great for me to be here. I’m really excited. Its a joy for me to venture back to where it all began. When people make it to the top, they don’t make it by themselves. There were a lot of people who touched my heart and touched my life. So JSU is home for me. Even when I make it to my ultimate home, this will still be home.”

Several JSU personnel also gave remarks during the program, including David Hoard, vice president for Institutional Advancement; Steve Smith, Ph.D, director of Alumni and Constituency Relations; Rick Comegy, JSU’s head football coach; and Vivian L. Fuller, Ph.D, director of Athletics.

In her remarks, Fuller told Barney, “we’re here today standing on your shoulders.”

Additional comments came from Mario Kirksey, who made a special presentation on behalf of the JSU Alumni Players Association (of which he is president), and Rick Cleveland, executive director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Cleveland commented about Barney’s interception of a pass thrown by NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr in Barney’s first ever NFL game. He also revealed a little know fact about Barney as a singer.

“I knew how great a football player Lem was,” Cleveland said, ” but I didn’t know that he sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye’s song, ‘What’s Going On’.”
On Nov. 7, at 7 p.m., Barney was the keynote speaker at the 7th Annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet at the Mississippi e-Center @JSU, 1230 Raymond Road in Jackson.

A native Mississippian, Barney played cornerback for Jackson State University where he was a three-time, All-Southwestern Conference star with 26 interceptions. In 1967, Barney signed with the Detroit Lions as their second round draft pick. Barney ended his rookie season tied for first in the the NFL in interceptions with 10. Three of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns, a feat matched only by one other player in history. Barney permitted only one touchdown in the entire season. In a runaway vote, he was named the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year.

Barney played for the Lions for 10 years before retiring in 1977. His career includes 56 interceptions and 8 touchdowns. He returned 143 punts for 1,312 yards and 2 touchdowns; and he had 50 kickoff returns for 1,274 yards and 1 touchdown. He also punted 113 times for a 35.5 yard average and in 1992 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is only the fifth cornerback in history to enter the Hall of Fame.

Barney has been an ordained minister since 1975, and is currently on staff at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, Mich. He is active in metro Detroit philanthropies and also mentors inner-city youth through his involvement with the church.

It’s a great day to be a Jackson State tiger. This is a big deal. We are blessed to have one of our native sons. one of our trail blazers in our presence.