Yale Lary

Robert Yale Lary (November 24, 1930 - May 11, 2017) (S/P) was among the elite players in the National Football League no matter what position he played, and retired among the best punters, safeties and punt returners of his era. The native Texan attended Texas A&M University where he starred at both football and baseball. The Detroit Lions selected Lary in the third round of the 1952 NFL Draft. He was inserted into the famous defensive “Chris’ Crew” at free safety, alongside Hall of Famer Jack Christiansen, and Jim David. He was instrumental in Detroit’s early-1950s success, intercepting passes, punting and returning punts. Lary helped the Lions win the 1952, 1953 and 1957 NFL League Championships. He led the league three times in average punt yardage, once in punts and longest punt, and amassed 22,279 total punting yards. In 503 punting attempts, Yale only had three blocked. On punts from the end zone, teammates could count on Lary to put the ball past midfield with enough hang-time to allow his team to cover the receiver. On defense, he compiled 787 return yards on 50 interceptions adding two touchdowns. Yale Lary was a nine-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and was named to three NFL All-Pro First Teams during his career with the Lions (1952-1964). All told, Lary scored 36 total points on six all-purpose touchdowns. Yale Lary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.