Detroit Lions all-time Mount Rushmore

PONTIAC, : This 21 December 1997 file photo show Detroit Lions Barry Sanders as he is carried off of the field by his teammates after he became one of three players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season against the New York Jets 21 December 1997 at the Pontiac, Mich, Silverdome. Sanders will reportedly announce his retirement from football after a 10-year career. AFP PHOTO Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) /

2 of 5

GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 7: Paul Hornung #5 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against Carl Brettschneider #57, Joe Schmidt #56, Yale Lary #28, Roger Brown #76 and Wayne Walker #55 of the Detroit Lions during the game at the New City Stadium on October 7, 1962 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions Mount Rushmore: DB Yale Lary

Talk about a performer who made his mark in numerous aspects of the game?

Hall of Fame defensive back Yale Lary picked off 50 passes and recovered 13 opponents fumbles in 11 seasons with the Detroit Lions and returned three of those 63 takeaways for touchdowns. He also averaged 44.3 yards per punt attempt. And the versatile performer also handled return duties for the club, taking back three punts for scores during his Hall of Fame career.

Keep in mind that this was a man who did not play football in 1954 and ’55 (via Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com).

Lary was part of all three of the club’s NFL championship teams in the 1950s. The nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro was a third-round draft choice in ’52 from Texas A&M. The 11-year veteran picked off at least two passes each year he played and totaled at least five interceptions five times during his brilliant career.

It’s safe to say that the Lions have had their share of stellar defensive players, particularly in the secondary. Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau remains the team’s all-time interception leader with 62 steals. But Yary excelled at so many facets of the game and enjoyed quite the complete career both on and off the field.

Home/Detroit Lions