Darris McCord played football at the University of Tennessee from 1952 to 1954 and saw the end of the General Neyland era, finishing his collegiate days on the gridiron under Head Coach Harvey Robinson. McCord captained the 1954 Vols and was named a First-Team All-American by the Football Writers Association.
Upon graduation, he earned berths in the 1954 Blue-Gray Game, the College all-star Game, and the Senior Bowl. McCord entered the professional ranks the next season with the Detroit Lions, and he immediately earned a starting position as defensive end and tackle. He played in the Pro Bowl in 1958 and was part of the stalwart Detroit defensive unit which included Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras, Dick “Night Train” Lane, and Roger Brown.
In 1967, McCord was one of three former University of Tennessee Volunteers to start for the Lions, the others being Paul Naumoff and Mike Lucci. Highlighting his illustrious football career, he was a member of the 1957 World Championship Detroit Lions team that defeated the Cleveland Browns, 59-14, in front of 55,000 “Motor City” spectators. Darris McCord’s gridiron heroics and accomplishments bring pride to the University of Tennessee and the Volunteer state.