Global media platforms are abuzz with the news of Detroit Lions legend Lem Barney passing away. But is the news confirmed? Born in Gulfport, Mississippi, Barney dedicated 11 crucial years of his football journey to the Lions, and therefore, the reports of his demise were shocking enough for the fans. However, the updates turned out to be baseless an insider dug deeper to clear the air on the matter.

“So the report & statement from the HOF was premature,” Insider Dave Birkett wrote on X. “Just talked to Mel Farr Jr., he said he talked to Lem Barney III, who talked to Lem’s nurse, who said Lem is alive. “He’s fine. I don’t know where that report came from.” He said he got a picture sent of Lem w/his nurse today.”

So the report & statement from the HOF was premature. Just talked to Mel Farr Jr., he said he talked to Lem Barney III, who talked to Lem’s nurse, who said Lem is alive. “He’s fine. I don’t know where that report came from.” He said he got a picture sent of Lem w/his nurse today

While the update might give a deep sigh of relief to many, it sure is a hard pill to swallow for major platforms, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Soon after the unverified rumors of his demise spread across media channels, the Pro Football HOF itself posted the update, ending up misleading NFL.com as well. However, the clarification from the Lions legend’s family not only thrashed rumors but also gave a massive hit to those who posted the news.

Lem Barney was a star cornerback who joined the Detroit Lions in 1967. They picked him in the second round of the 1967 NFL Draft. Barney quickly became one of the top defensive players in the league. During his rookie year, he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award by leading the league in interceptions and returning three for touchdowns. He totaled 56 interceptions, played 7 times in the Pro Bowl, was twice named first-team All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Pro Football HOF shares emotional message amid false demise update

The rumors of Lem Barney’s demise spread strongly, even prompting an emotional response from the Hall of Fame CEO Jim Porter. In the official update posted by the HOF’s official website, Porter remembered his strong presence in the league, making it clear that his presence would surely be missed by the football world.

“Media reporting the death of Lem Barney will recount his many football accolades – and that praise was well earned,” Porter said, as reported by Click on Detroit. “He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967 and later named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s. He was a member of both the Pro Football and Black College Football halls of fame, demonstrating his elite level of athletic talent. But it’s also Lem’s life after football that also should be celebrated today.”

However, minutes after the update went viral, members of the legend’s family stepped forward to dispute the authenticity of several media platforms. While it is clear from Barney’s nurse’s latest verdict that the 80-year-old still lives, further updates on his health and the false leak are still awaited.