The Pro Football Hall of Fame has publicly apologized for incorrectly announcing the death of a former NFL star. Lem Barney.
NFL.com reported Saturday, Nov. 29, that the Hall of Fame rescinded an email sent earlier in the day announcing Barney’s death at age 80. In response to that initial email, the NFL confirmed it had mistakenly published an obituary for the Detroit Lions cornerback and return specialist.
Dave Birkettjournalist at Detroit Free Pressrevealed via X on Saturday that Lem is still alive after speaking with the athlete’s son, Lem Barney III. Lem III told the reporter that he recently saw his father for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27.
“[Lem III] started receiving messages about her father last night [Friday, November 28]” Birkett wrote. “He said he spoke to Lem’s nurse today, sent her a selfie and heard her voice in the background. ‘He’s fine…He’s alive.’
According to Birkett, the unfortunate incident was particularly upsetting for the Barneys because it was the second time this year they had to respond to “false rumors” about Lem’s death.
“[Lem III] said this happened after flooding in Texas earlier this year. “He’s like the boy who cried wolf now,” the journalist wrote via X.
Meanwhile, the Pro Football Hall of Fame explained that its incorrect death announcement was made after consulting “media sources associated with the Detroit Lions.”
“Based on conflicting information regarding the passing of Lem Barney, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is rescinding the email sent earlier today,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame said in a statement. “The Hall has been unable to independently confirm such news. Please accept our apologies.”
NFL Lions and Detroit Lions Hall of Fame player Lem Barney in December 2016.
Images of Léon halip/gelip/gelittyLem Sr. played 11 seasons in the NFL, all for the Detroit Lions. He received numerous honors during his distinguished career, including being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967 and inclusion on the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team.
The athlete made the Pro Bowl seven times during his career and was named a first-team All-Pro in 1968 and 1969. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
After retiring from football, Lem Sr. ventured into the entertainment industry. He was a close friend of the late singer Marvin Gaye and even contributed vocals to his 1971 classic “What’s Going On,” according to ESPN.
The former NFL star played himself alongside other iconic athletes Alex Karras, Sugar Ray Robinson And Frank Gifford — facing Hollywood stars Alan Alda And Lauren Hutton in the 1968 sports comedy paper lion. He also joined other football stars “Bad guy” Joe Greene, Eugene “Mercury” Morris And Willie Lanier in the 1974 blaxploitation film The six blacks.
Reba McEntire is singing Dolly Parton’s praises after the country music legend responded to a death prank. “Tell ’em, Dolly. This whole AI mess has made us do all sorts of crazy things,” McEntire, 70, shared via Instagram on Thursday, October 9. “You’re dying. I’m here having a baby. Well, both […]
Lem Sr. later worked as an analyst for BET’s college football coverage and was the pregame host for his former team, the Detroit Lions, in the 1980s, the Detroit Free Press. He reflected on his NFL career and life off the field in his 2006 memoir: The Supernatural: Lem Barney.
Lem Sr. and his late wife, Marthareportedly married during the Lions’ offseason in 1967 and later welcomed two children: a daughter, LaTrece Barney, and a son, Lemuel “Lem” Barney III. After Marth’s death, Lem Sr. married his second wife, Jacqueline Barney.
