Yale Lary

Robert Yale Lary (born November 24, 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas) was an American football player. After graduating from North Side High School in 1949, he attended Texas A&M; University, where he was a standout in football and baseball. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round in the 1952 NFL Draft. He would help the Lions to win three NFL championships. He played right safety, a position which gradually became free safety, for the Li... more

Robert Yale Lary (born November 24, 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas) was an American football player. After graduating from North Side High School in 1949, he attended Texas A&M; University, where he was a standout in football and baseball. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round in the 1952 NFL Draft. He would help the Lions to win three NFL championships. He played right safety, a position which gradually became free safety, for the Lions from 1952 to 1964. He had 50 career interceptions, an outstanding figure for that era. He was a Pro Bowl selection for nine years. He also returned kickoffs in 1952, 1953, and 1956. He missed the 1954-1955 seasons for military service. He was also an outstanding punter, winning punting titles in 1959, 1961 and 1963. His career average was 44.3 yards per punt, in 503 attempts. According to Paul Hornung in 2004 he was the best punter ever. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. less