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Lem Barney, circa 1970; Barney in 2019 wearing his Pro Football Hall of Fame badgeBrian Anthony HernandezSun, November 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM UTC·2 min readNEED TO KNOW
The Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) apologized after incorrectly announcing the death of NFL alum Lem Barney
In a statement to PEOPLE, the PFHOF explained the error
“Please accept our apology,” the PFHOF statement said
The son of retired NFL star Lem Barney confirmed his dad is "alive” after the Pro Football Hall of Fame sent an email reporting he had died.
The former Detroit Lions cornerback’s son, Lem Jr., told Detroit Free Press sportswriter Dave Birkett that his 80-year-old father is not dead.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Saturday, Nov. 29, Birkett shared that conversation on his X account, explaining that Lem Jr. saw his father on Thanksgiving and “started getting messages asking about his dad last night.”
“He said he talked to Lem’s nurse today, had her send a selfie, heard his voice in the background,” Birkett continued.
The sportswriter added that Lem Jr. said, “He’s good ... he is alive.”
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Lem Barney, circa 1970, as a player for the Detroit LionsIn a statement to PEOPLE, the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) apologized for the false report and explained how the error came to be.
“Based on conflicting information regarding the reported passing of Lem Barney, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is rescinding the email sent earlier today,” the organization’s statement read. “The Hall has not been able to confirm such news independently. Please accept our apology.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to NFL.com, which had posted an obituary for the retired NFL star after the PFHOF’s initial announcement, the PFHOF had cited “media sources associated with the Detroit Lions.”
Lem Sr. played in the NFL from 1967 to 1977 for the Lions.
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Lem Barney playing for the Detroit Lions in 1967In 1992, the former Lions star was inducted into the PFHOF.
His son also told Birkett that he’s dealt with death rumors in the past.
In another X post, Birkett wrote, “Lem Jr. said this is the second time in a few months he’s had to address false rumors about his dad’s passing. Said it happened after the flood in Texas earlier this year.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBirkett added that Lem Jr. said, “It’s like the boy who cried wolf s--- now."
Read the original article on People
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