Family of NFL legend Lem Barney claim he is ‘alive and well’ despite Hall of Fame statement mourning his death
Detroit Lions legend and Hall of Fame NFLer Lem Barney is alive and well, according to his family, despite widespread reports that he had died at the age of 80.
The NFL’s official website shared news of Barney’s death on Saturday lunchtime, carrying a statement from Hall of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter paying tribute to his legacy.
Remarkably, his son Lem Barney III has now told TMZ that reports of the Lions icon’s death are incorrect – and he is instead ‘alive and well’.
Barney III even claimed he has spoken to his father today, with his around-the-clock carers also taking a photo of him and sending it to his nearest and dearest.
The cornerback’s son told TMZ he has ‘no clue’ why people think his father had died, and that a similar incident occurred a few months ago.
Barney is a seven-time Pro-Bowl cornerback and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He also previously had his No 20 retired by Detroit, where he played for a decade.
Lem Barney – a Detroit Lions legend and Hall of Fame cornerback – is reportedly alive and well
Barney runs upfield during an NFL game in his second season in the league, in December 1968
The news was – seemingly erroneously – announced by the Pro Football HOF, with Porter’s statement reading: ‘Over the better part of five decades Lem devoted himself to the betterment of others.
‘The Special Olympics, the United Way, the Easter Seals, the United Negro. College Fund and the Boy Scouts of America are just some of the many organizations that benefitted from Lem giving back to his community unselfishly and with little fanfare.
‘Lem was a regular in Canton during Enshrinement Week, and his consistent presence here welcoming new class members will be missed.’
Barney played 11 NFL seasons – all for the Lions – from 1967 to 1977, and was part of the All-Decade Team for the 1960s.
Barney poses on the red carpet with his wife at the Ford Freedom Awards in May 2016
He played in 140 career NFL games, and was the first Jackson State college football star to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Incredibly, he remains the only player in NFL history to score on a kick return, punt return, field goal return and INT return of 70 yards or more, per NFL Research.
He is as talented off the field as he was on it, showcasing his incredible singing voice by performing the national anthem at the 2015 enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
He sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye’s hit song ‘What’s Going On’, and counted the Motown legend as a close friend.
