Lake Roberson
{{Short description|American football player (1918–1984)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Lake Roberson
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number =
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date|1918|08|05}}
| birth_place = Clarksdale, Mississippi
| death_date = {{death date and age|1984|12|11|1918|08|05}}
| death_place = Lyon, Mississippi
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 210
| high_school =
| college = Ole Miss
| draftyear =
| draftround =
| draftpick =
| pastteams =
- Richmond Arrows (1941)
- Detroit Lions (1945)
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games
| statvalue1 = 4
| pfr = RobeLa20
}}
James Lake Roberson Jr. (August 5, 1918 – December 11, 1984) was an American football player. He played college football for Ole Miss from 1937 to 1940 and professional football for the Richmond Arrows in 1941 and the Detroit Lions in 1945.
Early years
Roberson was born in 1918 at Clarksdale, Mississippi. He attended Clarksdale High School and was president of the school's class of 1937.{{cite news|title=Services on Wednesday for Lake Roberson, 66|newspaper=The Clarksdale Press|date=December 11, 1984|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94765415/obituary-for-lake-roberson-aged-66/|via=Newspapers.com}} He then attended the University of Mississippi and played college football as an end for Ole Miss from 1937 to 1940.{{cite web|title=Lake Roberson|publisher=Pro Football Archives|accessdate=February 11, 2022|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/robe00400.html}} He also was a member of the Ole Miss boxing team. He graduated with honors from Mississippi.
Professional football
He played professional football in the Dixie Football League for the Richmond Arrows, appearing in 10 games during the 1941 season. He played football for the Army's Randolph Field football team and also served in military intelligence in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. After the war, he played in the National Football League (NFL) as an end for the Detroit Lions. He appeared in four NFL games during the 1945 season.{{cite web|title=Lake Roberson|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|accessdate=August 30, 2020|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobeLa20.htm}}
Later years
His brother, Shed Roberson worked as an attorney. In 1934, he served as assistant manager of the campaign staff for U.S. Senator Hubert D. Stephens.{{cite news|title=Bilbo Sticks to "8-A-Day"|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|date=September 7, 1934|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94766386/roberson/|via=Newspapers.com}} After two years in private practice, he became a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He jointed the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944.{{cite news|title=Clarksdale FBI Man Enlists In Marines: Roberson Was End On Ole Miss Team|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|date=July 14, 1944|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94774464/lake-roberson/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Lake Roberson was married in 1943 to Yvette Williams.{{cite news|title=Roberson-Williams Wedding Enlists Wide Social Interest|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|date=April 18, 1943|page=22|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74777944/roberson-williams-wedding/|via=Newspapers.com}} He died in 1984 at Lyon, Mississippi.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberson, Lake}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Ole Miss Rebels football players
Category:Detroit Lions players