Broncos mourn the loss of former player and local luminary Odell Barry.
Odell Barry was a former NFL player who played for the Denver Broncos from 1968 to 1971. Barry was known for his exceptional speed and agility, which made him a formidable opponent on the field. However, despite his impressive skills, Barry’s career was cut short due to a tragic accident.
Born in Georgia in 1945, Barry began his football career in high school. He attended Western Illinois University, where he played as a wide receiver. In 1968, Barry was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the ninth round of the NFL draft. He quickly established himself as one of the team’s top players, earning the nickname “the Flash” for his lightning-fast moves.
Barry’s best season with the Broncos came in 1969, when he caught 27 passes for 373 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a standout kick returner, with a career average of 23.6 yards per return. However, his career was cut short in 1971 when he was involved in a serious car accident.
On August 7, 1971, Barry and his wife were driving on Interstate 25 in Denver when their car collided with a truck. Barry suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma for several days. He eventually regained consciousness, but his football career was over. He was forced to retire at the age of 26.
Despite the end of his football career, Barry remained involved with the sport. He coached high school football in Georgia and later worked as a scout for the Buffalo Bills. He was also active in his community, volunteering with youth groups and serving as a mentor to young athletes.
Barry’s legacy lives on in the NFL, where he is remembered as a talented and dedicated player. He was inducted into the Western Illinois University Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2001, the Denver Broncos honored him with a “Legends” award, which recognizes former players who made significant contributions to the team.
The tragic end to Odell Barry’s football career is a reminder of the risks that athletes face every day. However, his legacy is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of community. As we remember Odell Barry, we honor his contributions to the sport and to the lives of those he touched along the way.
The former return specialist came to Colorado in the 1960s to join the Broncos, but he would stay for decades.
In the many years to come, Barry would make an even bigger impact in Northglenn, as he became a successful entrepreneur, a community leader and mayor of the city.
In recent decades, he continued to have an impact on the Broncos as the chairman of a committee that played an instrumental role in the creation of Empower Field at Mile High and as an Honored Board Member and Treasurer of the Denver Broncos Alumni Association’s Alumni Council.
