Nathaniel "Booba" Barnes (February 18, 1957 – January 18, 2024) was an American professional gridiron football player who played as a linebacker. He was known for his career in both the National Football League (NFL) and the United States Football League (USFL), where he won a championship.
Early Life and College Career
Born in Canton, Mississippi, Barnes attended Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He went on to play college football at Miami University in Ohio. During his time with the Miami RedHawks, he was a standout linebacker, earning recognition for his defensive prowess.Professional Career
Barnes was selected by the Detroit Lions in the ninth round (228th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft.National Football League (NFL)
- Detroit Lions (1979–1981): Barnes played three seasons with the Lions, primarily contributing as a special teams player and backup linebacker.
- Buffalo Bills (1982): He then moved to the Buffalo Bills for the 1982 season, which was shortened due to a players' strike.
United States Football League (USFL)
Following his NFL tenure, Barnes joined the newly formed United States Football League.- Michigan Panthers (1983–1984): Barnes was a key defensive player for the Michigan Panthers. In 1983, he was an integral part of the team that won the inaugural USFL Championship, defeating the Philadelphia Stars. He continued with the Panthers for their second season in 1984.
- Oakland Invaders (1985): In 1985, after the merger of the Panthers with the Oakland Invaders, Barnes played for the unified team in what would be the USFL's final season.