A trailblazer in the integration of the Louisville Cardinals football program, Lenny Lyles was an outstanding player on both sides of the football from 1954-57. Lyles was a four-year starter for the Cardinals and totaled 2,786 yards on the ground. He left the University as the program's all-time leading rusher but currently stands No. 3 behind Walter Peacock and Nathan Poole.
Known as the "Fastest Man in Football" in '57, Lyles became the first Cardinal to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a single season. His 1,207 yards not only earned him Little All-America acclaim but led all of college football in 1957. U of L posted a 25-12 mark during his career and travelled to the 1958 Sun Bowl following a 9-1 campaign in '57. U of L defeated Drake 34-20 in the New Year's Day contest, but Lyles was limited to just two carries after being injured. Following graduation, Lyles was selected in the first round of the '58 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, where he teamed with Johnny Unitas. Lyles was traded to the San Francisco 49ers after two seasons. He returned to the Colts in '61 and played his final eight season in Baltimore. In his first stint with the Colts, Lyles had the honor of playing in the 1958 NFL Championship Game which ended in sudden-death with the Colts defeating the New York Giants, 23-17. The game has been called "the greatest NFL game ever played." |
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