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From Wikipedia
Ron Yary was the first overall pick of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings when the Vikings traded Fran Tarkenton to the New York Giants for that number one pick. He played from 1968 to 1981 with the Minnesota Vikings, and 1982 with the Los Angeles Rams. During Yary's tenure with the Vikings, the team won 11 division titles. During that period, Minnesota won the 1969 NFL championship and NFC titles in 1973, 1974 and 1976, and played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI. Yary was named All-Pro 6 consecutive seasons (1971-76) and 2nd Team All-Pro in 1970 and 1977 and was an All-NFC choice from 1970 through 1977. He played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls, and was a major force in a Minnesota team that was highly successful throughout the 1970s. In addition to his All-pro honors, Yary was voted the NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year three times (1973-75) by the NFLPA.
Yary won the starting right tackle job (military duty forced him to miss first three games)on the Vikings offensive line in his second season and remained as a fixture at that spot throughout his Minnesota tenure. He was voted to the 1970s All-Decade First Team after the 1979 season.
The 6-5, 255-pound Yary possessed speed, agility, intelligence, aggressiveness, a hard work ethic and size—all the attributes necessary to be an outstanding offensive lineman.[peacock term]
In addition to his many playing abilities, Yary was also durable and willing to play in spite of injuries. he missed only two games due to injuries—both coming in 1980 with a broken ankle—in 14 years in Minnesota. Later that same year, he continued to play in spite of a broken foot. He was inducted to the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2000. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. It would be 29 years before another offensive lineman would be drafted first overall. That was Orlando Pace, picked by the Rams in 1997.
Lem Barney was a second round draft choice in 1967. He was named 1967's defensive rookie of the year, and went on to be selected to seven Pro Bowls. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive backs in Detroit Lions history. During his time in the NFL (all of which were in Detroit), Barney had 56 career interceptions, and also gained over 1000 yards returning kickoffs and punts. In Barney's first pro start, he intercepted the first pass in his direction from Green Bay's Bart Starr and ran for a touchdown. Lem Barney and the rest of the Lions defense were coached by six-time Pro Bowl defensive back Jim David. Lem credits Jim David as a mentor and teacher of the highest order. Jim David made the induction speech at the Pro Football Hall Of Fame induction ceremony for Lem. They remained great friends until David's death.
In 1999, he was ranked number 97 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
His number, 20, which was also worn by future Detroit star running backs Billy Sims and Barry Sanders, was retired by the Lions.
Both Barney and Lions teammate Mel Farr befriended Motown recording artist Marvin Gaye, when Gaye unsuccessfully tried out for the Lions in 1970. Barney and Farr sing background vocals on Gaye's classic 1971 song "What's Going On",[1] for which Lem earned a Gold Record. Lem Barney also had a role in the film The Black Six and appeared as himself in Paper Lion. He is now a minister. Lem Barney performed the matrimonial services for Jim David's grandson, Sean Thornton and Laura Butler in 2009 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Point, Michigan.
Charley Trippi was a big part in the battling between the NFL and AAFC. The AAFC's New York Yankees were sure they had signed Trippi, but Charles W. Bidwill Sr. of the Cardinals signed Trippi to a four year contract worth $100,000.
Trippi's addition completed Bidwill’s quest for a "Dream Backfield." Although Bidwill did not live to see it, Charley became the game breaker in a talented corps that included Paul Christman, Pat Harder, Marshall Goldberg and, later, Elmer Angsman.
Never was Trippi more magnificent than in the 1947 NFL Championship Game when the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21. Playing on an icy field in Chicago, Charley wore basketball shoes for better traction and totaled 206 yards, including 102 yards on two punt returns. He scored touchdowns on a 44-yard run and a 75-yard punt return.
Trippi played as a left halfback for four seasons before switching to quarterback for two seasons. Charley then moved back to offensive halfback for one season before changing to defensive in 1954 and 1955. He also was the Cardinals' punter and he excelled on the punt and kickoff return teams.
He is the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 1000 yards of receiving, 1000 yards passing, and 1000 yards rushing (two other players that are not in the hall of fame--George Taliaferro and Bob Hoernschemeyer--have that distinction as well).
_________________ Listen to current and past Bearly Legal Shows at http://www.talkzone.com/previousepisodes/155/1401.htmlTHANKS TO BIG FAN FOR LINKING MY SHOW FOR ME!
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