Gary Barbaro (born February 11, 1954 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former defensive back who played from 1973-83. After attending East Jefferson High School in Metairie, Barbaro went on to play college ball at Nicholls State. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 3rd round (74th overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft. He played his entire NFL career with the Chiefs.

A three-time Pro Bowl defensive back with the Kansas City Chiefs, Barbaro had played seven years for the Kansas City Chiefs and was a free agent contract holdout when Donald Trump and the New Jersey Generals came calling.  Barbaro signed with the Gens, sending a small shock wave through the NFL and making soon-to-be free agents in the league smile broadly - it was proof that the USFL could and would make offers for NFL free agents.  Improved player salaries would be forthcoming to be sure.

Barbaro would play only one season in the USFL before retiring after 1983, but his signing alone added to the credibility of the fledgling league, sending a signal to the NFL's players that there was now an open market for their services.  Once Barbaro's football days were over, he went into the food service industry, where today he's the Louisiana and South Mississippi representative for Marketing Agents South, a manufacturer's representative.


Gary Barbaro, right, 26