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The family of Pro Football Hall of Famer Lem Barney on Saturday pushed back against claims that the former Detroit Lions player had died.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame mistakenly announced that Barney had died at the age of 80. The organization released another statement, apologizing for the conflicting information.
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Detroit Lions cornerback Lem Barney during the 1975 season against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. (Manny Rubio/USA Today Sports)
“Based on conflicting information regarding the death of Lem Barney, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is rescinding the email sent earlier today,” officials said via the New York Post. “The Hall has been unable to independently confirm such news. Please accept our apologies.”
Barney’s son told the Detroit Free Press that his father was alive, and his great-niece criticized the reports in a Facebook post.
“It’s a lie, my great uncle is alive, we don’t know who the sick person is behind this but we will find out!!!!!! Please report him,” she wrote on Facebook.
Lem Barney arrives during the professional football HOF induction ceremonies at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 5, 2017. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
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Barney was a second-round pick of the Lions in 1967 out of Jackson State. He played in 14 games in 1967 and led the NFL with 10 interceptions and three interceptions returned for a touchdown. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year for his efforts.
He was an All-Pro selection in his first three seasons in the NFL and made seven Pro Bowls during his 11 seasons with the Lions.
Barney finished his career after the 1977 season. He had 56 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries in 140 career games.
Former Lions star Barry Sanders and Lem Barney on the sideline October 20, 2019 at Ford Field. (Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
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After his career, he was named to the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team and the Lions’ All-Time Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
