Hefner was born on August 2, 1949, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up there.[1][2] He played football in the Pop Warner Little Scholars program and later played while attending North Mecklenburg High School.[3] He was North Mecklenberg's second NFL alumni and was a two-way player for the school, being a linebacker on defense while on offense a guard.[3][4] He was regarded as one of the best linebackers in his county in the 1966 season and was co-team captain, being named The Charlotte News All-State and All-Mecklenberg.[3] Hefner was also invited to the East–West All-Star Game.[5] His coach said of him: "I've never coached a better lineman than Larry."[3] He committed to play college football for the Clemson Tigers in December 1966.[3]
College career
Hefner joined the Tigers in 1967, spending that season on their freshman squad.[6] Playing linebacker, he was their leading tackler despite missing a game.[6] He was unable to play in 1968 due to a thyroid condition but returned for the 1969 season.[7] He lettered in 1969 and became a starter.[8][9] He returned as a starter for his junior year in 1970; that season, he weighed at 208 pounds (94 kg) and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds.[2][10] He increased his weight to 235 pounds (107 kg) and improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.85 by his senior season in 1971.[2] He was a top player for the team that year, being described by The News & Observer as the "anvil" of the defense; the paper noted that he "jars running backs with some Dick Butkus-like jolts."[11] Clemson head coach Hootie Ingram called Hefner "as fine a linebacker as I've ever been associated with."[11] At the end of the season, he was selected All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[12]
Professional career
Hefner was selected in the 14th round (346th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.[13] He had played middle linebacker in college but moved to the outside with the Packers.[14][15] He was put on the taxi squad to begin the season but later was promoted and saw action in two regular season games as well as one playoff game.[1][9][16] He made his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13 and was mainly used on special teams.[17][18] He returned to playing middle linebacker in the 1973 season and served as a backup to Jim Carter, appearing in 14 games while posting one interception and a fumble recovery as the Packers went 5–7–2.[1][19][20] In 1974, Hefner played all 14 games, one as a starter, and helped the Packers compile a record of 6–8 while recovering one fumble and returning one punt.[21] He appeared in the first four games of the 1975 season, two as a starter, before suffering a knee injury which resulted in him missing the rest of the season.[1][17][22] He retired prior to the 1976 season due to his knee injury.[23]
Personal and later life
Hefner was married and had two children as of 1976.[23] After his football career, he worked as a pit crew member for NASCAR racers.[24][25] He also worked in the restaurant business.[25]