Posted on 11/30/2025 8:22:52 AM PST by DFG
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.
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Mark Twain did not say ""The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated".
The Lions have been dead since 1957
Billy Sims wore #20 also.
Shows you how much bad blood Sander’s retirement created.
Monty Python?
“I’m not dead yet”
“You’re on the cart!”
Xp38 and I are clearly on the same page.
First losing to the Packers
The Ragnow fiasco
Now this.
Life sure ain’t easy for a Lions fan.
“Billy Sims wore #20 also.”
Lem Barney was probably the best corner ever in Detroit and reasonably the best in the history of the NFL. Other teams wouldn’t throw on his side for years.
The number was also used by Barry Sanders possibly the best running back in NFL history. But it was retired for the legacy of the number itself, which all three players wore with distinction.
wy69
NFL Hall of Fame issued an apology.
Yes.....of the various images that popped up this one seemed the most emphatic.
I used to be a big fan of Lem Barney, even though he was not on a team I followed.
The guy had talent.
LOL!
I still throw darts at the picture of Bill Munson for that interception against the Cowboys when they were driving for the winning score in that 5-0 playoff game.
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