[1] After an injury to Pat Studstill, Barney also took over as the Lions' punter, punting 47 times for an average of 37.4 yards in 1967.

[1] On September 17, 1967, in the first quarter of his first NFL game, Barney intercepted the first pass thrown in his direction by Bart Starr and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.

[4][5] In the final game of his rookie season, Barney intercepted three passes within ten minutes and returned one 71 yards for a touchdown.

[8] After the 1967 season, Barney played in the 1968 Pro Bowl,[9] and in the off-season, he was married and also served six months of active duty in the Navy.

[1] In March 1978, as part of a wiretap investigation into international drug smuggling, Barney's voice was heard allegedly discussing cocaine and amphetamines.

Barney and teammate Mel Farr sang background vocals on Gaye's classic 1971 song "What's Going On".

[28][29] In 2015, Barney was invited to sing the national anthem at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

[31] After retiring from the NFL, Barney worked for many years, starting in 1979, in public affairs for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company.

[31][32] In March 1993, after his car crashed into a guardrail on a Detroit freeway, Barney was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and possession of cocaine and marijuana.