Mel Farr
Mel Farr: Detroit Lions running back, two-time Pro Bowler, and pioneering auto dealer who built the largest African-American owned business in the U.S.
Melvin Farr (November 3, 1944 – August 3, 2015) was an American professional football player and businessman. A native of Beaumont, Texas, Farr played college football as a halfback for UCLA, was a consensus first-team All-American in 1966, and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft and played seven years as a running back, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors and two Pro Bowl selections. After retiring, he built a large automotive dealership group that was cited as the largest African-American owned company in the country by 1998, though the business failed in 2002.
- position
- Running Back
- team
- Detroit Lions
- years_active
- 1967–1973
- pro_bowls
- 2 selections (1967, 1970)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Farr was born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1944, the son of a truck driver and a domestic worker. He graduated from Hebert High School in 1963, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. His older brother, Miller Farr, played nine seasons as a defensive back in the NFL from 1965 to 1973. Farr began his college career at Santa Monica City College before transferring to UCLA in 1964. He and Gary Beban formed UCLA's 'dream backfield' in 1965 and 1966. Farr totaled over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in both seasons and finished seventh in the 1966 Heisman Trophy voting. He was selected by the Detroit Lions with the seventh overall pick in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft. As a rookie, he led the Lions in rushing and receiving, totaled 1,177 yards from scrimmage, and was named NFL Rookie of the Year by United Press International and Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1967 and 1970. His career was shortened by knee injuries; he underwent surgery in 1968 and again in 1969. He was traded to the Houston Oilers in March 1974 and retired twelve days later. After football, Farr purchased a Ford dealership in Oak Park, Michigan, in 1975. By 1997, his Mel Farr Auto Group had expanded to 14 dealerships in five states with annual sales over $500 million. In 1998, the group grossed $596.6 million, making it the top black-owned business in the U.S. The business failed in 2002 following adverse publicity and lawsuits relating to sales and finance practices.
In Their Own Story
Mel Farr took the handoff, eyes locked downfield. He felt the rush of cold air against his face pads as defenders closed in. With a sudden burst of speed, he juked past a linebacker, finding daylight near the sideline. The crowd roared as he crossed into the end zone, another yardage mark added to his growing legacy.
Reader's Guide
Mel Farr was a standout running back for the Detroit Lions from 1967 to 1973. He was a two-time Pro Bowler (1967, 1970) and the 1967 NFL Rookie of the Year. He led the Lions in rushing and receiving as a rookie, totaling 1,177 yards from scrimmage. His best season came in 1968 before a knee injury; he led the NFL in rushing through the first six games. He finished his career with 4,446 yards from scrimmage and 36 touchdowns. After football, he became a successful auto dealer, building the largest African-American owned company in the U.S. by 1998. His business collapsed in 2002 due to legal and financial troubles.
Did You Know?
- Farr and teammate Lem Barney recorded background vocals on Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On', released in January 1971.
- Farr was selected as the NFL Rookie of the Year by United Press International and as the Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press in 1967.
- Farr's automotive group was cited as the largest African-American owned company in the country in 1998.
- Farr's older brother, Miller Farr, played nine seasons as a defensive back in the NFL.