Lyons played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning consensus All-American honors.

He was a member of the Jets' famed "New York Sack Exchange," the team's dominant front four in 1981 and 1982 that also featured Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam and Joe Klecko.

When asked by Penn State quarterback Chuck Fusina how far the ball was from the goal line, Lyons replied, "'Bout a foot.

In November 1981, Salaam, Gastineau, Klecko and Lyons were invited to ring the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange that served as the inspiration for their nickname.

[4] Later the same season, during a Monday Night Football game, Lyons blocked former Alabama teammate and Hall of Famer Dwight Stephenson in what Dolphins players and coaches labeled a 'cheap shot' that ended his career.

[5] Dwight Stephenson himself claimed it was a clean block, explaining that he caught his leg as he went down and never blamed Lyons for the injury.

In 2002, Lyons joined the New York Jets radio network, spending 22 seasons broadcasting games alongside Bob Wischusen.