He played in college at Louisiana State University, and for the in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles.

While playing for the Eagles, Barnes made time to help his alma mater, LSU, by spying on the practices of the Oklahoma Sooners team prior to the 1950 Sugar Bowl.

After being caught by members of the Oklahoma football staff and Biloxi, Mississippi residents, Barnes fled to hide in the house of a former LSU teammate, Elbert Manuel.

Both Barnes and Manuel refused Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson's offer to present themselves for identification to clear their names.

Some of his more notable appearances included Bronco, Gunsmoke, Cheyenne, Bonanza, Have Gun – Will Travel-as Mason Enfield in S1 E32 (1958) and Death Valley Days.

He spent his final years in the Motion Picture & Television Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.