Ex-Niner Roland Lakes dies at 72

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers say former defensive lineman Roland Lakes has died. He was 72.

The team said Lakes died Monday.

A second-round draft pick by San Francisco in 1961 out of Wichita State, Lakes had until 2010 been the 49ers' youngest starting lineman in team history at 21 years, 11 months and 24 days when he played as a rookie in 1961.

Lakes played 10 of his 11 NFL seasons with the Niners, spending his final season of 1971 with the New York Giants before retiring. Lakes finished with 10 fumble recoveries in 154 career games and 124 starts.

He later worked as a consultant in San Pablo, Calif.

Lakes was born in Vicksburg, Miss., on Dec. 25, 1939. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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