Yale Lary
As a third round draft choice out of Texas A&M, Robert Yale Lary signed with the Detroit Lions for $6,500 in 1952. It was to be a windfall investment by the Lions. In 11 seasons, interrupted by two years in the Army, Lary was an All-NFL defensive back four times and played in nine Pro Bowls. The Fort Worth native was also a great punter, his career average of 44.29 per punt ranks third in NFL annals. The top three season averages in NFL history are owned by Texans: Sammy Baugh 51.4, Yale Lary 48.9 and Baugh 48.7. When Lary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 he was the fifth defensive back ever so honored. The Fort Worth North Side graduate earned All-SWC honors in 1951 as a senior at A&M. Lary was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.
