Lincoln University Athletics

One of the best-known athletes to ever lace up for the Blue Tigers, Lemar Parrish enjoyed a multiple Pro Bowl in the National Football League. A four-year letter-winner with the Lincoln football team from 1966-69, Parrish helped Lincoln win 23 games as both a defensive back and kick returner. In 1969, Parrish recorded the longest punt return in Lincoln history, taking one back 95 yards. That same season he set the Lincoln record for most punt return yards in a single game, compiling 129 (both records came against Southwest Missouri State). Parrish also own Lincoln's single game (43.0), season (16.8) and career (15.5) records for punt return average.

Parrish is perhaps best known for his 13-year NFL career, in which he was voted to eight Pro Bowls as a defensive back. A seventh-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970, Parrish also played for the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills, finishing with 47 interceptions returned for 462 yards and 13 fumble recoveries. He also returned 131 punts for 1,205 yards and 61 kickoffs for 1,504 yards and scored a combined 13 touchdowns. In 1974, Parrish set a still-standing record with an NFL-best 18.8 punt return average.