Home / Sports / Hall of Fame Apologizes for Lem Barney Death Hoax
Hall of Fame Apologizes for Lem Barney Death Hoax
30 Nov
Summary
- Hall of Fame wrongly announced Lem Barney's death, then apologized.
- Lem Barney's son confirmed his father is alive and well.
- This is the second time false death rumors have circulated this year.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has publicly apologized after mistakenly announcing the death of former NFL star Lem Barney. The organization rescinded an earlier communication that incorrectly stated Barney had passed away at age 80. This error caused significant distress, especially as it was the second time this year the Barney family had to debunk false rumors of his death.
Lem Barney III, the athlete's son, confirmed his father is alive and well, having spoken with him recently. The Hall of Fame attributed the incorrect announcement to consulting with media sources associated with the Detroit Lions, but stated they were unable to confirm the news independently. They extended their apologies for the misinformation.
Lem Barney Sr. had an illustrious 11-season career with the Detroit Lions, earning numerous accolades including Defensive Rookie of the Year and seven Pro Bowl selections. Post-retirement, he ventured into entertainment, contributing to Marvin Gaye's album 'What's Going On' and appearing in films. He also had a career in sports analysis and broadcasting.
