Remembering Billy Ray Barnes: A Two-Sport Star and NFL Hall of Famer

Billy Ray Barnes, born in 1935 in rural North Carolina, passed away at the age of 90. He is celebrated for his remarkable athletic career, which spanned both football and baseball. Barnes played college football and baseball at Wake Forest University, where he was instrumental in winning the 1955 NCAA Championship in baseball, marking a significant achievement as the first NCAA championship for an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) school. He was recognized as a first-team All-ACC selection in baseball for two consecutive years, 1956 and 1957.

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Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1957 NFL Draft, Barnes made an immediate impact, starting all 12 games at halfback for four seasons and earning Pro Bowl selections in his first three years. He played a pivotal role in the Eagles' victory over the Green Bay Packers in the 1960 NFL Championship, catching a touchdown pass in the only playoff game of his career. After five seasons with the Eagles, he played for the Washington Redskins in 1962 and 1963, and concluded his playing career with the Minnesota Vikings from 1965 to 1966, retiring with 3,421 rushing yards, 153 receptions, and 39 touchdowns.

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Following his playing career, Barnes transitioned into coaching, beginning as the head coach of the Continental Football League's Charleston Rockets in 1968. After a successful season with an 8-3 record, the team suspended operations. He then returned to the NFL, serving as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Eventually, Barnes returned to his roots in construction before retiring in his hometown of Landis, North Carolina.

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Barnes' contributions to sports were recognized with his induction into the Wake Forest University Hall of Fame in 1975 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. His legacy as a fierce competitor and a proud representative of Wake Forest continues to resonate, as noted by Dr. Gene Hooks, the former director of athletics at the university, who remarked on Barnes' lasting impact on the institution.

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Dr. Gene Hooks expressed his sorrow at Barnes' passing, stating, "He was a fierce competitor, a proud Demon Deacon, and someone who represented Wake Forest with class." This sentiment reflects the deep respect and admiration held for Barnes within the sports community.

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• “He was a fierce competitor, a proud Demon Deacon, and someone who represented Wake Forest with class.” — Dr. Gene Hooks, Former Director of Athletics, Wake Forest University

Newsweek

Billy Ray Barnes leaves behind a legacy as one of the best athletes in Wake Forest history and a celebrated figure in the NFL, remembered for his contributions both on and off the field.

Newsweek