Pro Football Hall of Fame issues groveling apology after incorrectly claiming NFL legend was dead

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has been forced to issue an apology after it incorrectly announced the death of NFL legend Lem Barney. 

The NFL's official website shared that Barney had died at the age of 80 on Saturday, posting a statement from Hall of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter paying tribute to his legacy.

However, in a remarkable turn of events, just hours later Barney's son, Lem Barney III, revealed that the reports of the Detroit Lion's cornerback's death were incorrect, confirming that his father was alive and well. 

In the wake of the revelation, the Hall of Fame has apologized for its tribute, citing 'conflicting information.'  

'Based on conflicting information regarding the reported passing of Lem Barney, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is rescinding the email sent earlier today,' the organization said on Saturday.

'The Hall has not been able to confirm such news independently. Please accept our apology.' 

Hall of Fame CEO Porter had erroneously honored Barney in a tribute earlier on Saturday. It is unclear where the Hall of Fame received the false information of his death. 

'Over the better part of five decades Lem devoted himself to the betterment of others,' Porter's statement read. 

'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.'

However, Barney III refuted the reports, telling TMZ that he had even spoken to his father on Saturday, with his around-the-clock carers also taking a photo of him and sending it to his nearest and dearest.

The cornerback's son said 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.

Barney played 11 NFL seasons - all for the Lions - from 1967 to 1977, and was part of the All-Decade Team for the 1960s.

He played in 140 career NFL games, and was the first Jackson State college football star to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Incredibly, he remains the only player in NFL history to score on a kick return, punt return, field goal return and INT return of 70 yards or more, per NFL Research.

He is as talented off the field as he was on it, showcasing his incredible singing voice by performing the national anthem at the 2015 enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

He sang background vocals on Marvin Gaye's hit song 'What's Going On', and counted the Motown legend as a close friend.