Clemson Hall of Fame football player Gary Barnes passed away on Tuesday, the program confirmed on Twitter this morning.
Barnes, who had been battling Parkinson’s Disease, was 83. He was a star wide receiver and running back for the Tigers from 1959-61 before embarking on a pro career.
Clemson mourns the passing of Clemson Athletic Hall of Famer Gary Barnes, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 83. https://t.co/wfqeqLlTxS pic.twitter.com/sK79PbFRhy
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 16, 2023
Barnes was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection in 1959 and 1960 and a second-team all-conference pick in 1961. He finished his career with the Tigers with 39 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns.
Barnes was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1962 NFL Draft and the New York Titans in the ninth round of the 1962 AFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 13 regular season games as the Packers won the NFL Championship.
After spending one season in Green Bay, Barnes later played for the Dallas Cowboys (1963), Chicago Bears (1964) and Atlanta Falcons (1966-67). He finished his NFL career with 41 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns.
Barnes would later go on to work for Chevron, in the textile industry and as a Clemson, S.C. municipal judge. He was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2002.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Barnes’ friends and family.