Posted on 05/12/2017 11:49:07 AM PDT by EveningStar
Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Yale Lary passed away in the early hours on Friday at the age of 86. The Texas A&M product was a fixture in the Detroit Lions secondary during an 11-year career (1952-53, 1956-1964) that was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army.
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He signed so many autographs his signature never took on the value of someone with his talent and stature. A genuinely good man and one of the great all time Lions. RIP.
Your assessment is quite correct. I met him at a Reagan political event, in Detroit. I mentioned that I had admired his play for the Lions and did know that he had entered into politics. Not ever having played the game, he was tolerant of my lack of football knowledge.
He never mentioned his Army service. That's the mark of a "good man."
Yale Lary, Hop Cassady and Dick LeBeau made the Detroit defensive backfield in the late ‘50s a nightmare for passing offenses. They were the reason Detroit won its’ last title. They shut down Otto Graham and Cleveland’s passing game in the 1957 NFL title game.
Two Hall of Famers and a Heisman Trophy winner.
Factually, I know I am old. When guys who I watched play and thought were supermen pass of old age, I KNOW I am old. RIP Mr Lary.
Condolences to family and friends of Yale Lary. R.I.P., sir. Thanks.
RIP.
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