Squeeky Yarbrough (2023) - Hall of Fame - Murray State University Athletics

Squeeky Yarbrough

Induction:
2023

James “Squeeky" Yarbrough – Football, 1982-1985
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Inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2023.
Yarbrough was the first of 181 HOF members that were inducted posthumously in 2023.
Squeeky lost his long and inspiring battle with cancer when he passed away at his home in Texas on July 17, 2023 at age 59.
He died knowimg that he was a Murray State hall of famer after he was informed in the spring during one of the weekly bible study zoom calls he did with friends and former teammates.
At the induction dinner on Nov. 17, 2023, Squeeky’s friend and teammate Michael Proctor (inducted into MSU HOF in 2002) gave an amazing eulogy for his friend.
Yarbrough was a Murray State football and track & field student-athlete from 1982-85 where he was recruited by Coach Frank Beamer (inducted into MSU HOF in 2004).
Outstanding All-OVC defensive player during the Wide-Tackle 6 defensive glory days of the Beamer era.
In 1983, Yarbrough had a game to remember and was mentioned in Sports Illustrated after he blocked punt in the first quarter and ran 21 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter he returned a punt he blocked 27 yards to set up another TD. He also made two interceptions, one of which he returned 41 yards for the Racers' final score as they beat Eastern Kentucky at home 23-10. EKU was not only defending OVC champs that year, they were the defending national champions.
Yarbrough was a hero, in the company of many heroes that we still remember today in Racer football lore.
Defensive teammates included: Jose Casanova, Danny Coleman, Tim Boles, Ralph Robinson, Jim Piercefield, Willie Bester, Glen Jones, Ron Hopkins, Tony Woodie, Paul Hickert.
He played on the same team with offensive talents like running backs Rodney Payne, Bill Bird and Willie Cannon. Quarterback Kevin Sisk, receiver Stanley Howard. Offensive linemen, Jimmy Hopkins, Marshall Sills and Colby Schreckengost.
Recruited to MSU from Fulton High School in Knoxville
Yarbrough was being courted by a lot of schools. One of the coaches that had an eye on Squeeky, was Racer head coach Frank Beamer.
Starting at safety as a freshman and never let up.
All-OVC in 1985 and played on some of the best defensive teams in Racer history when Beamer's Wide Tackle Six scheme was ground breaking in the game.
Didn't win an OVC title, the Racers were close with a second place finish in 1985 and the Racers won it the next year in 1986.
Spent some time in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants.
In track & field, Yarbrough was an outstanding sprinter and hurdler. He was the OVC champion in the 1986 and set the MSU indoor 60 meter high hurdles record at 7.3 seconds. At the time, he held the MSU outdoor record in the 100 meter dash at 14.05.
He also spent 20 years as an officer with the Dallas County Sheriff's department and was part of the SWAT and hostage units.
For the last 15 years of his life, Yarbrough directed his own nonprofit group, J&B Outreach that seeks to help at risk children in the Dallas area.