DETROIT — Reports announcing the death of Detroit Lions legend Lem Barney were refuted Sunday after multiple members of his family publicly confirmed that the Hall of Famer is alive. Confusion spread early in the day when the Pro Football Hall of Fame released an official statement memorializing the former Lions star, prompting immediate backlash from relatives who insisted the information was false.
Barney, who wore the iconic No. 20 long before Billy Sims and Barry Sanders, remains one of the most celebrated defensive backs in franchise history. His storied career included being named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967 and earning a place on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, cementing his status as one of Detroit’s all-time greats.
Family members took to social media throughout the afternoon to denounce the reports, stating they were shocked to learn that news outlets and even the Hall of Fame had circulated claims of Barney’s passing. Several relatives expressed frustration and confusion, noting they had no knowledge of where or how the rumor originated.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame had issued a detailed tribute to Barney earlier in the day, praising his impact both on and off the field. The statement, delivered by Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter, highlighted Barney’s athletic honors as well as his decades of charitable work with organizations such as Special Olympics, United Way, Easter Seals, the United Negro College Fund and the Boy Scouts of America.
Porter’s message commemorated Barney’s consistent presence in Canton during Enshrinement Week and lauded his lifelong dedication to community service. The tribute reflected the respect with which Barney is held across the football community, making the erroneous report even more jarring to fans and family alike.
Following the family’s public clarification, questions remain about the origin of the false reports that prompted the Hall of Fame’s premature statement. As of Sunday evening, no official correction had yet been issued by the Hall, but Barney’s relatives maintain that the Lions legend is alive, and the football world awaits further clarification on how the misinformation spread.
