Things get a little physical here between the Lions Yale Lary and 49ers Billy Wilson. While Lary has handful of Wilson's facemask, Wilson gives Lary a bit of a close line. This picture probably comes from around 1957.
Rams and Lions, we think from 1961. Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord can be seen as the Lions defense blocks a Danny Villanueva kick. The Lions won this one by a score of 14-13. The other Rams here, if it is from 1961 are rookie Joe Scibelli (#71), vet Frank Varrichione (#70) and Lamar Lundy (#85). The other Lions here closing in could be Yale Lary at the far left, Alex Karras on Schmidt's right, and linebacker Max Messner & Night Train Lane diving in front of Villanueva.
Old School NFL at it's best - Packers & Lions in 1961 - Roger Brown leads the Lions defense in stopping Paul Hornung as Hornung loses the ball. Lots of great names here - From left to right - Wayne Walker (#55), Yale Lary (#28), Joe Schmidt (#56), Night Train Lane (#81), Carl Brettschneider (#57), Bob Skoronski (#76 - Packers), Roger Brown (#76 - Lions, Paul Hornung (#5), Jim Ringo (#51), Darris McCord (#78)
Lion Hall of Famer Yale Lary gets off the punt in 1961 against San Francisco. That looks like longtime 49er linebacker Matt Hazeltine.
Not only was he an outstanding Defensive back he Yale Lary was one of the league's top punters of his day. He led the NFL in Average Yards per Punt 3 times. After 13 seasons he left football with a 44.3 lifetime average.
Newly acquired from the Rams Billy Wade (#9) has a tremendous day against the Lions in 1961. He hit End Farrington with 98-yard TD pass. It was the longest touchdown pass of the year. He ended up completing 13 of 25 passes for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a 1-yard keeper for a score in the Bears 31-17 win over the Lions that day.
Also pictured above are Bears lineman Art Anderson (#79) and Mike Pyle (#50). For the Lions defense - Hall of Famer Yale Lary (#28) and longtime Lions player Dennis McCord (#78).
The members of that legendary Lions defensive secondary of the early 60s. With these guys the Lions passing defense ranked in the Top 10 from 1960 to 1962 and collected a total of 62 interceptions over those 3 seasons.
Racked up a career total of 50 interceptions. Here he returns one as linebacker Joe Schmidt puts Eagle quarterback Sonny Jurgensen to the ground with a ferocious block.
As well as being a great defensive back he was one of the NFL's top punters during his career. Led the NFL in average Yards-per-Punt 3 times and retired from football with a 44.7 average.
As well as being a great defensive back he was one of the NFL's top punters during his career. Led the NFL in average Yards-per-Punt 3 times and retired from football with a 44.7 average.
11 season NFL veteran with 50 interceptions in his career. 3 All Pro selections and 9 Pro Bowls.
11 season NFL veteran with 50 interceptions in his career. 3 All Pro selections and 9 Pro Bowls.
11 season NFL veteran with 50 interceptions in his career. 3 All Pro selections and 9 Pro Bowls.
11 season NFL veteran with 50 interceptions in his career. 3 All Pro selections and 9 Pro Bowls.
Drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 1952 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. Played a total of 11 seasons (missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons on active duty in the Army) for the Lions. Part of that great Lions defense of the 1950s decade. Played on 3 NFL Championship teams. Selected to 9 Pro Bowls and 3 1st-Team All Pro squads. Hall of Fame inductee in 1979.
Drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 1952 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. Played a total of 11 seasons (missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons on active duty in the Army) for the Lions. Part of that great Lions defense of the 1950s decade. Played on 3 NFL Championship teams. Selected to 9 Pro Bowls and 3 1st-Team All Pro squads. Hall of Fame inductee in 1979.
Drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 1952 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. Played a total of 11 seasons (missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons on active duty in the Army) for the Lions. Part of that great Lions defense of the 1950s decade. Played on 3 NFL Championship teams. Selected to 9 Pro Bowls and 3 1st-Team All Pro squads. Hall of Fame inductee in 1979.
Drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 1952 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. Played a total of 11 seasons (missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons on active duty in the Army) for the Lions. Part of that great Lions defense of the 1950s decade. Played on 3 NFL Championship teams. Selected to 9 Pro Bowls and 3 1st-Team All Pro squads. Hall of Fame inductee in 1979.
Drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 1952 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. Played a total of 11 seasons (missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons on active duty in the Army) for the Lions. Part of that great Lions defense of the 1950s decade. Played on 3 NFL Championship teams. Selected to 9 Pro Bowls and 3 1st-Team All Pro squads. Hall of Fame inductee in 1979.
