Visiting With An Aggie Legend

Earlier this summer, Michael Reynolds '66 and Richard Johnson '68 used their Aggie networks to spread the word that an Aggie legend was living in a facility in Fort Worth and would probably welcome some company.

"I was out walking the dog early this morning in Fort Worth when a neighbor, who knew I was an Aggie, came out to talk and tell me about his friend, Yale Lary," Reynolds wrote in a Facebook message.

R. Yale Lary '52 played football at Texas A&M from 1949 to 1951 and was selected as a first-team defensive back on the 1951 All-SWC team. He also played baseball, leading the Aggies to the 1951 College World Series. He then played 11 seasons in the NFL, all with the Detroit Lions, interrupted by two years of military service. He played safety, punter, and return specialist, appeared in eight Pro Bowls, and was first-team All-NFL five times. He was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and remains the only Aggie to be so honored. 

Follow this link to visit Yale Lary's page on the Pro Football Hall of Fame website

"Now, at age 86, my neighbor says Yale is in a hospice in Fort Worth, fighting the last, lonely fight we all eventually must face," Reynolds wrote. "I bet he'd like to hear a 'gig 'em' or 'howdy' or see a friendly face about now."

Reynolds' message prompted a parade of Aggies to visit Lary's Fort Worth living facility to share some fellowship and pay their respects.

Fort Worth Club Members Visit

On June 21, members of the Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club Board of Directors visited Lary at Brookdale in Westover Hills in Fort Worth.

During the visit, the Aggies were fortunate to run into Lary’s wife, Mary Jane Boothe Lary, in the reception area. She invited the four visitors -- Wes Oliver ’92, John D. Pickett ’94, Sarah Spring ’04 and Nicole Baltzell ’09 -- into Lary’s room and made introductions. The group asked the couple questions about their time in Detroit, when Lary played football for the Lions, as well as about their time at Fort Benning during the Korean War.

Lary told stories about growing up in Fort Worth, playing multiple sports at Texas A&M, representing Tarrant County in the State Legislature, and his successful Ford dealership in Fort Worth.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lary seemed to really enjoy the visit," Pickett reported. "And goodness knows Sarah, Wes, Nicole, and I certainly did. It was a true honor to meet them both."

They were proud to sign his visitor book with hopes that they'd be back for another visit soon.

 Yale Lary '52 with his wife and visitors from the Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club. From left: Sarah Spring ’04, Wes Oliver '92, Nicole Baltzell '09, John D. Pickett ’94, Mrs. Mary Jane Lary, R. Yale Lary '52.

Fellow Aggie Punters Visit 

Ross Conner '96 was a placekicker and punter for Aggie football from 1992 to 1994 and is now a partner in an insurance agency in Fort Worth. After the president of the Fort Worth A&M Club told him that Yale Lary was living nearby, Conner called David Davis '92, a friend and fellow Aggie punter (1989-92).

"He and I were able to visit Yale and talk about Aggie football, among other things," Conner said.

Davis brought with him a handwritten letter sent to the locker room the day of the 1993 Cotton Bowl, addressed to him from Yale Lary. That letter of encouragement from an NFL Hall of Famer and fellow punter has remained a very special keepsake to Davis over the intervening years.

"Yale was blown away and understood the meaning of that letter and how much it meant to David," Conner said.

 NFL Hall of Famer Yale Lary '52 (center) with former Aggie punters Ross Conner '94 and David Davis '92.

More Aggies Bearing Gifts

On July 8, Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club members paid the Larys another visit, along with representatives from The Association of Former Students. During an earlier visit, Mrs. Lary had mentioned that her husband had worn out all of his Aggie-branded apparel. An Aggie legend should be able to proudly sport his school colors, so Lary's visitors this time came loaded with gifts.

Patrick McGinty ’15, coordinator of Club programs for The Association, and Randy Reyes ’01, The Association's director of marketing, joined Pickett, Spring and Baltzell from the FWTC A&M Club. They presented Lary with Aggie swag donated by The Assocation, Texas A&M's Lettermen’s Association, the Aggie baseball program and the Aggie football equipment staff.

“Visiting Yale Lary was a unique and humbling experience that I’ll remember for a long time," said McGinty, a former Aggie yell leader. "Yale personifies what it means to be an Aggie, and I got chills listening to him speak about Texas A&M."

Lary told his fellow Aggies of some of his fondest memories of A&M, from meeting his wife to hitting home runs for the baseball team and suiting up on Kyle Field. He also spoke of his military service and his time as a professional athlete.

"He even showed us the proper way to kick the perfect punt," Reyes said. 

Among the gifts they presented were an authentic football jersey bearing Lary's #28 and a baseball jersey with Lary's #9; a Texas A&M Lettermen's Association cap, shirt and pin; a cap and a tumbler from The Association; and an A&M license plate for his wheelchair. He also received a personal letter from Porter S. Garner III '79, The Association's President and CEO; a letter from Scott Woodward. the university's athletics director; and a card signed by members of The Association's staff.

“The joy and surprise that spread across Yale’s face as he opened the football and baseball jerseys with his old number reveal the enduring impact Texas A&M has had on him," McGinty said.

Reyes said the Larys were clearly in awe of the support shown by Aggies. "That’s what I think Mr. Lary will remember the most," he said. "It was just another example of how the Aggie Network comes together to support fellow Aggies."

McGinty said it's also clear that Lary attributes much of his success to the core values and lessons he learned at A&M. "And as we left, he offered some impactful advice: 'Never give up on your dreams and work harder than everyone else.'” 

More To Come! 

The Association took along a videographer, and a segment on Yale Lary and his Aggie visitors will appear in the next edition of the monthly video series, Around The Association. Watch for that episode during the last week of July on AggieNetwork.com, TexAgs and The Association's social media channels. UPDATE: The video is up at www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH4RUw5xX8w.

Mrs. Lary displays a chain that holds her husband's Aggie Ring and his various college and NFL championship rings.