Monte Lee

Monte Vern Lee (July 11, 1938 – August 24, 2021) was an American professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Colts. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the eighth round of the 1960 NFL draft.

Early life Monte Vern Lee was born on July 11, 1938, in Ballinger, Texas. He attended Hale Center High School in Hale Center, Texas. He became a starter at end for the Longhorns on October 12, 1957, against the Oklahoma Sooners. Lee was redshirted in 1958 due to injury. He returned to action in 1959, earning Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) first-team All-Southwest Conference honors at end. As a senior in 1960, he garnered AP and UP first-team All-Southwest Conference recognition at guard while also serving as a linebacker on defense. Overall, Lee was a varsity letterman in 1957, 1959, and 1960. He was the first player in school history to be a team captain for two years. He played in 12 games, starting one, for the Cardinals in 1961, recording one interception for seven yards and one kick return for 12 yards. He missed the 1962 season while serving in the United States Army.

Lee signed with the Detroit Lions on October 25, 1963.

On September 22, 1965, Lee signed a futures contract with the expansion Atlanta Falcons for their inaugural 1966 season. He then played for the Mobile Tarpons of the North American Football League (NAFL) during the 1965 season, earning All-NAFL honors. In 1966, Lee's previously signed futures contract with the Falcons went into effect. He died on August 24, 2021.