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EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Canal Park Hosts Hall of Famer Lem Barney

June 21, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Akron Aeros announced last Wednesday that former Detroit Lions star Lem Barney will represent the National Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 27th at Canal Park. The Hall of Fame cornerback will highlight the National Pro Football Hall of Fame Day events that afternoon and will throw out the first pitch before the game. The contest between the Aeros and the Binghamton Mets starts at 1:35 p.m.

The Mississippi native Barney will be on hand for two autograph sessions, with the first between 12:30 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. and the second between 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Next Sunday is also Orbit's Birthday Bash, sponsored by ACME Bakeries, and Orbit will have several local mascot friends at the game. The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh sponsors the Sunday Family Packs for that contest and fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four fountain drinks and four bags of chips for just $48, a savings of $28!

Barney was inducted to the National Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 after an 11-year career with the Lions. He joined the National Football League as a second-round draft pick of the 1967 out of Jackson State University where he was a three-time All Southwestern Conference star. The Lions attempted to convert him to wide receiver originally, but his defensive instincts helped him stay at cornerback for his pro career.

The now 64-year-old won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1967 and represented the National Football Conference in that year's Pro Bowl. He also tied the NFL interception record with 10 picks that season, and returned three for touchdowns, one short of the then all-time single-season record. Barney participated in six more Pro Bowls throughout his career, and was a member of the All-NFL team in 1968 and 1969.

During his career, he served multiple roles for the Lions as a cornerback, a kick return specialist and as a punter. He scored two touchdowns on 143 punt returns and returned 50 kickoffs with one touchdown. He finished with 11 career touchdowns, recovered 11 fumbles and served as the Lions punter in 1967 and 1969.

Barney will be appearing at Canal Park where the Aeros recently won their franchise-record 12th game in a row last week. The team is back in contention for the playoffs yet again this season after winning the 2009 Eastern League Championship Series. The team set an EL record with a fifth straight 80-win season last year and has five straight pennants along with three league championships in the past seven seasons.

The team is enjoying a much-deserved rest day Monday before returning to action Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. It is another Two for Tuesday and a buyout night where fans can find FREE ticket vouchers at local Applebee's restaurants. Red-hot Akron Aeros lefty Eric Berger (3-4, 5.25 ERA) matches up in the series opener against Richmond's Mike MacDonald (1-6, 4.96 ERA). Tomorrow night's game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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