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Robert Lyles
Robert Lyles
Robert Lyles
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Robert Damon Lyles (born March 21, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs. After his playing career, Lyles served as a head coach in Arena Football League (AFL), coaching the Los Angeles Avengers in 2001 and the Georgia Force in 2002.[1]

Key Information

Lyles suffered multiple strokes in 2022. As of September 2022, he is in critical condition in a Texas hospital and needs a heart transplant. With his NFL health insurance expired, his medical expenses were approximately $100,000 as of September 2022, and friends had raised about half that amount.[2]

References

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Robert Lyles

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Robert Lyles is an American former professional football linebacker known for his eight-season career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons. Born on March 21, 1961, in Los Angeles, California, he played college football at Texas Christian University (TCU) before being selected by the Oilers in the fifth round (114th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. Over his NFL tenure from 1984 to 1991, he appeared in 109 regular-season games with 100 starts, contributing as a reliable outside linebacker with 10 interceptions, 10 sacks, eight fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns. Following his retirement from the NFL, Lyles extended his football involvement through the Arena Football League, where he played briefly and transitioned into coaching roles including defensive coordinator and interim head coach positions with teams such as the Los Angeles Avengers and Georgia Force. He later coached at the collegiate level, including stints at Army (West Point), Jackson State, and other programs, before joining the University of the Incarnate Word in 2015 as associate head coach for defense, focusing on outside linebackers. In this role, he has helped develop standout players, notably mentoring Myke Tavarres to multiple All-America honors and school records in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks during the 2015 season. Lyles' career reflects a sustained commitment to football across playing and coaching at both professional and collegiate levels.

Early life

Birth and family background

Robert Damon Lyles was born on March 21, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. His full name is Robert Damon Lyles. No verified details about his family background or early childhood are publicly available from reliable sources.

High school years

Robert Lyles attended Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California, where he played football as a member of the Belmont Sentinels. A classmate who played alongside him described Lyles as an instant leader on the team beginning in his sophomore year, noting that he displayed notable knowledge of the game and wisdom that commanded respect even from seniors. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1979. His high school football experience at Belmont provided the foundation for his recruitment to play college football at Texas Christian University (TCU).

College football at TCU

Robert Lyles played college football at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was a linebacker for the Horned Frogs. He competed in the Southwest Conference during his collegiate years, contributing to the team's defensive efforts in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Detailed individual statistics and specific honors from his time at TCU are limited in available records, as comprehensive college stats tracking for that era is often incomplete for non-Heisman level players. His performance as a linebacker at TCU positioned him as a notable prospect, culminating in his selection in the 1984 NFL Draft.

Professional football career

Entry into the NFL

Robert Lyles entered the NFL after being selected by the Houston Oilers in the 5th round (114th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. The linebacker, standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 226 pounds, transitioned directly from his college career at TCU to the professional level with the Oilers as his initial team. He began his professional career in 1984, marking his entry into the league as a drafted player. This draft selection and signing with the Oilers initiated an eight-season NFL tenure.

Seasons and performance

Robert Lyles played eight seasons in the National Football League as an outside linebacker from 1984 to 1991. Drafted by the Houston Oilers in the fifth round (114th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft, he spent the majority of his career with the Oilers before finishing with the Atlanta Falcons. Lyles appeared in 109 regular-season games with 100 starts, establishing himself as a reliable and consistent defensive contributor during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s. Lyles saw limited action as a rookie in 1984, playing in six games without a start for the Oilers. He emerged as a full-time starter in 1985, appearing in all 16 games and recording 57 combined tackles. His 1986 season proved particularly productive, with 65 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, two interceptions, and a 93-yard fumble return for a touchdown that led the NFL in fumble return yards that year. He added another fumble return touchdown in 1987, along with two interceptions, 2.0 sacks, and three fumble recoveries during a 12-game season. Lyles continued as a starter through 1988 and 1989, posting two interceptions in 1988 and a career-high four interceptions in 1989 for 66 return yards, including a long of 48 yards. In 1990, Lyles began the season with the Oilers before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons, totaling 14 games across both teams. He finished his career with the Falcons in 1991, playing in all 16 games with 14 starts and adding to his defensive contributions. Across his tenure, Lyles demonstrated consistency as a starter in most seasons while providing key plays in pass defense and turnover creation. Comprehensive career statistics and legacy assessment appear in the following section.

Career statistics and legacy in football

Robert Lyles played eight seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker from 1984 to 1991, primarily with the Houston Oilers before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons. He appeared in 109 regular-season games during that span with 100 starts. His career Approximate Value (AV), a metric estimating overall contribution, stands at 40. Lyles recorded 10.0 sacks and 10 interceptions across his career, demonstrating effectiveness as a pass rusher and in pass coverage from the linebacker position. Tackles were not officially recorded league-wide until later years, but his defensive production included notable plays such as fumble returns for touchdowns. As a fifth-round draft pick by the Oilers in 1984, Lyles established himself as a reliable and consistent starting linebacker, providing dependable performance and contributions to the defenses of both franchises over nearly a decade. His legacy in football is that of a dependable veteran performer who delivered solid service without major individual accolades, helping stabilize linebacker units during his tenure in the league.

Television appearances

Role on NFL Monday Night Football

Robert Lyles appeared as himself in one episode of NFL Monday Night Football in 1988. He was credited as "Self - Houston Oilers Linebacker," reflecting his active role on the team at the time. This appearance aligned with his professional football career, during which he played linebacker for the Houston Oilers from 1984 to 1990. This represents Lyles' only documented credit on NFL Monday Night Football, with no evidence of additional appearances or recurring involvement in the program. His on-air role was limited to a single feature as an active player, consistent with occasional broadcast inclusions of NFL personnel during live games.

Personal life

Post-retirement activities

After concluding his NFL career following the 1991 season with the Atlanta Falcons, Robert Lyles continued playing professionally in the Arena Football League with the Tampa Bay Storm in 1994 and the Memphis Pharaohs in 1995. He transitioned into coaching immediately thereafter, beginning with the Memphis Pharaohs in 1995 as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach while concluding his playing tenure. Lyles established himself in the Arena Football League as a defensive coordinator and head coach over the next several years. He served as defensive coordinator for the Portland Forest Dragons from 1996 to 1998 and for the Los Angeles Avengers in 1999. He was named interim head coach of the Avengers four games into the 2001 season, guiding the team to a 5-6 record over the remainder of the year. The following year, he became head coach of the Georgia Force, leading the team for the first five games of the 2002 campaign. His coaching career extended to collegiate and other professional levels. Lyles worked as an assistant coach at San Bernardino Valley College in 2003 and as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2004 and 2005. From 2007 to 2013, he served as linebackers coach at the United States Military Academy (Army), where he worked with whip linebackers for three years, the rover position in 2012, and the mike linebacker in 2013. He then served as inside linebackers coach at Jackson State University in 2014. In spring 2015, Lyles joined the University of the Incarnate Word as outside linebackers coach and housing liaison, later advancing to associate head coach for defense. He also took on linebackers coach duties with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 2018. In 2020, he coached the defensive line and special teams for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. Additionally, Lyles participated in the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, completing internships with the Buffalo Bills in 2003 and the Tennessee Titans in 2004.

Health challenges

In his later years, Robert Lyles faced severe health challenges stemming from heart failure. In 2022, he suffered multiple strokes that left him in critical condition in a Texas hospital, where doctors determined he required a heart transplant. The expiration of his NFL health insurance created significant financial burdens for treatment and the anticipated transplant, leading friends, former teammates, and community members to launch extensive fundraising efforts. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help cover his mounting medical expenses. Support included public rallies, such as one held in Los Angeles to raise awareness and funds for the former linebacker's care. Lyles was fitted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to support his heart function as a bridge to transplantation and placed on the waitlist. As of late 2023, he continued relying on the LVAD at all times, had undergone four operations related to his condition, and faced the need for both heart and kidney transplants, with further procedures expected.

Family and later years

Robert Lyles has kept details of his family life largely private, with no public information available regarding a spouse, children, or other immediate relatives. Appeals for support during his later years have included general references to his family, such as requests to keep "Robert and his family in your prayers." In his post-retirement period, Lyles has received substantial support from long-time friends and community members. Close friend Randy Carodine, who has known him for most of their lives and refers to him as a brother despite no blood relation, organized a major fundraising effort on his behalf. Additional assistance came from alumni of Belmont High School in Los Angeles, where Lyles played football as a youth, who rallied to raise funds through events and outreach to organizations like the NFLPA and his college, TCU.
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