WebGreg Lem Barney had numerous titles over the course of his 25-year career with the Riverdale Police Department: sergeant, captain, interim police chief, major. "[31][32], By 1997, Farr had expanded his Mel Farr Auto Group to 14 auto dealerships in five states (Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, and Texas) with annual sales in excess of $500 million. Go to Southfield!" Contact Tresa Baldas: [email protected]. Played defensive back for the National Football League's Detroit Lions (1967-1977). [14] The Associated Press picked Farr as the Offensive Rookie of the Year and teammate Lem Barney as the Defensive Rookie of the Year. [39] The franchises were sold in April 2002 and subsequently closed. Rather, the pizza chain has said that the Commerce Township location wasn't open to the public yet on the day in questionand that about 30 other people were also turned away. It reopened under new ownership on Nov. 6, she said. [3] His older brother, Miller Farr, played nine seasons as a defensive back in the NFL from 1965 to 1973. In a race discrimination lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Detroit, Lemuel and Jacqueline Barney allege Happy's Pizzaexhibited unlawful and "outrageous conduct"by "refusing to serve them and telling them to instead go to a predominantlyAfrican-American city. A few minutes passed so she asked again, 'So, do you plan on waiting on us?' (AP Photo/Jose Juarez), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Detroit Former Detroit Lions Hall-of-Famer Lem Barney and his wife are suing a Metro Detroit pizza chain, alleging they were refused service for racial reasons. My wife and I are from both the waters. I love working out, I still love to pray because of my faith, my beliefs, its not a hobby its a discipline I call it. "He's the one who suggested that I file a discrimination lawsuit," said Jacqueline Barney, 70, referring to the sheriff's deputy who responded to what she described as a heart-wrenching ordeal. The omission has left Barney's wife livid. Here, according to Jacqueline Barney, is what happened that night: At about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2, she and her husband went to the Happy's Pizza on North Pontiac Trail to order food. Because to me Lem Barney is one of the best football's players I have ever coached. Players of his kind come around once in a lifetime and I feel fortunate I had the opportunity to coach him. But this is truly Lem Barney's greatest weekend in football. The fitting cap to a spectacular career. [25] Farr totaled 64 rushing yards on 22 carries in 1971. "Why does the story keep changing? He threw jersey number 20 right in my chest and he said here wear this rook and I said well Ill put some fire under this as well. So it didnt turn out to be a bad jersey. "I advised thatthis incident was a civil matter and she agreed with me.". Follow her on Twitter @Tbaldas. It officially opened Nov. 6. [15], In October 1968, Farr was named by the AP as the NFL offensive player of the week after totaling 210 yards (138 rushing, 72 receiving) and scoring three touchdowns in a 28-10 victory over the Chicago Bears. All rights reserved. She continued to stand there, waiting for service. "I don't buy it," he said. My wife and I are from both the waters. Yeah, it was in the locker room pre-dress really, pregame, I was ready once I hit the field. Associated With Met and became good friends with singer Marvin Gaye when he Hogwash, says the couple's lawyer, who believes his clients are telling the truth about the manager recommendingSouthfield. A third time they were preparing for a corporate event. Why not West Bloomfield?" The person from behind the counter just stood there when Jacqueline asked, "Are you going to wait on us?". Acho said the couple does not want a gift card and is not seeking any particular amount in damages. FAVORITE ATHLETE EVER IN ANY SPORT: We have estimated The lawsuit filed in Detroits federal court Monday says Lem and Jacqueline Barney went to Happys Pizza in Commerce Township Nov. 2. He was divorced from his first wife, Mae, in 2002 after more than 35 years of marriage. The Barneys are black. He was a 7-time Pro Bowl selection and recorded 56 interceptions in his 11 NFL seasons. AsHandrinos told the Free Press in an interview Monday, "it's sad that anyone would think that" Happy's Pizza condones racism. IF YOU COULD DO YOUR ENSHRINEMENT SPEECH OVER TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY DIFFERENTLY? WHATS BETTER ABOUT THE NFL TODAY THAN WHEN YOU PLAYED? New York Times, August 30, 1999, Hughes, Alan and Lloyd Gite - Driving in a new direction? That's when the manager informed him of the soft opening and the restaurant not being open to the public, the report stated. [1], Farr returned from knee surgery in 1969, but he sustained a serious injury to his left knee in the fifth game of the season on a hit by Bennie McRae of the Chicago Bears. COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. Former Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney and his wife are suing a Detroit-area pizza chain for racial discrimination after being refused service. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. "I didn't even mention in the lawsuit that Lem is a pro football Hall-of-Famer," he said. My wrists would be taped Id tape my left wrist then my right wrist and I would dress the same way. Southfield has a majority black population and Commerce Township is mostly white. It ended up being the New York Giants because I could watch them on television and I would root for the guys in the black jerseys during the black and white TV days and it ended up being the New York Giants. My wife is from the Washington D.C. area near the Patomac and Im from Gulfport, Miss. [35], Farr specialized in the subprime market, expanded into the used car market, and offered credit at rates up to 25 percent. Chicken and seafood. [41], Farr was married to his first wife, Mae Rutha (Forbes) Farr, in the mid-1960s. Which is it? "Happy's Pizza never turns a customer away. But several nagging questions still eatat the Barneys, specifically: Why were they told to go to Southfield? He joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in college. He was twice selected to play in the Pro Bowl, in 1967 and 1970. [2] Barney attended Jackson State University, a historically black university in Jackson, Mississippi. His son Lem Barney the 3rd and Grandson Lem Barney the 4th also followed in his footsteps and graduated from Jackson State. He played college football for the Jackson State Tigers football team from 1964 to 1966 under head coach Rod Paige. (Complete Story), The Life And Career Of Dick "Night Train" Lane (Complete Story), What Happened To Andre Ware? WebDETROIT (AP) Former Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney and his wife are suing a Detroit-area pizza chain for racial discrimination after being refused service. God Bless, Mr. Barney. Each of the 1,500 customers received $200 worth of coupons for their troubles. [36][37] There were legal problems surrounding Farr's On-Time Device,[38] which prevented drivers of leased vehicles from starting the car if they missed payments. "Go to Southfield! [16] The following week, he set a club record with 29 carries, good for 145 rushing yards. "From what I've heard, Southfield wasn't mentioned to anyone. They "immortalize" the greatest players, coaches, and contributors that this game has produced. ONE PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU MOST IN LIFE: As the lawsuit notes, Southfield is 70 percent African-American. Lem Barney, his wife Jacci, and their family currently reside in the Southfield, MI area. But the last book I read was Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by a great preacher Joyce Meyer. I guess The Longest Yard going back to my days of football I enjoyed that. [40] After defaulting on a $36.5 million bond package, Farr sold his final dealership in 2003. Only 267 bronze busts reside in the Hall of Fame Gallery inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. [6], During the 1965 and 1966 seasons, Farr and Gary Beban were the core of a UCLA backfield dubbed the "dream backfield" in Sports Illustrated. Thats the thing about the league not just in one era but through all the eras there has just been some tremendously great athletes. [44] His third wife was Jasmine Rozier, with whom he had a daughter, Melia (b. November 3, 2015), born shortly after Farr died. ", " Then he told me to go to Southfield?". [4], Farr began his college football career at Santa Monica City College before transferring to UCLA in 1964. Barney: [Takes a seat at the vintage drum kit in Studio A. ] TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU FACED: Sherrie Handrinos, a corporate spokeswomanfor the Farmington Hills-based pizza chain, said the Commerce Township location turned away the Barneys because it was not officially open after the store closed in July for remodeling. Handrinos said roughly 30 patrons entered the store to attempt to buyfood on Nov. 2; she released a photo of the store's sales activity system, whichshe saidshowed the first sales for the store begin on Nov. 6. "I advised Barney that (that) was probably the reason she did not receive service. The lawsuit filed in Detroit's federal court Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, says Lem and Jacqueline Barney went to Happy's Pizza in Commerce Township Nov. 2. Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney and his wife are suing a Detroit-area pizza chain for racial discrimination after being refused service. [6] At the end of the 1966 season, Farr was a consensus first-team running back on the 1966 College Football All-America Team. But Green Bay; Lambeau Field with the heating coils underneath it was more palatable than the other three Central Division fields. They had two sons, Mel Farr Jr., born in 1966, and Mike Farr, born in 1967, and one daughter, Monet. The deputy's report followed the narrative of Happy's Pizza, which has denied claims that the Barneys were denied service because they are African-American. [6] At the end of the 1965 season, he was selected by the conference coaches as a first-team halfback on the 1965 All-Pacific Athletic Conference football team and by the United Press International to the All-West Coast football team. "He doesn't need to sue Happy's Pizza for attention.". "There was never any racist anything," Handrinos said. "[27], In March 1974, Farr was traded by the Lions to the Houston Oilers. By 1998, Farr's automotive group was cited as the largest African-American owned company in the country. According to the lawsuit, the officer told the couple that he believed they "were refused service solely on the basis of race.". WebLem Barneys age is 77. I never felt like that in my life," Jacqueline Barney recalled. The lawsuit says that when they tried to order, the manager told them to go to Happy's Southfield location because "they would be more at home there." Farr was born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1944,[1] the son of a truck driver and a domestic worker. He was He is currently single. He was named all-state in football and track and all-district in basketball. He denied any knowledge of the incident," the report states. I intercepted a last-ditch effort long past by Fran Tarkenton to Ahmad Rashad to break the jinx. "We take these accusations very seriously and will do everythingin our power to clear up the confusion surrounding them," the company said in a statement Monday. Handrinos said the site washolding a soft opening for friends and family of employees and those from the corporate office to try the food. [5] After returning from the injury, Farr appeared in 10 games in 1964 and gained 86 rushing yards on 27 carries. [20] In five games during the 1968 season, Farr rushed for 245 yards on 58 carries. Farr totaled 1,034 yards from scrimmage (809 rushing and 150 receiving) and 11 touchdowns and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. Playing in the Central Division was just a joy, because they had some great players there and I will always remember those. Follow her on Twitter @Tbaldas. [32][36] In 2000, Farr's companies became the subject of negative publicity focusing on their sales and credit practices. Shame on them, Jacqueline "Jacci" Barney said in a statement emailed to the Free Press. [26] Farr totaled 216 rushing yards on 62 carries for the 1972 season. WHY DID YOU PICK NO. But instead of getting food, theygot the cold shoulder from a manager who, the suit claims, told them to drive to Southfield "because they would be more at home there.". DID YOU HAVE ANY PRE-GAME SUPERSTITIONS? Discover Lem Barney's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Melvin Farr (November 3, 1944 August 3, 2015) was an American professional football player and businessman. From 2004 to 2009, Farr was married to Linda Johnson Rice, president and CEO of Johnson Publishing Co., publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines. You're more at home there,' " said attorney James Acho,who plans on seeking security footage of the visit. "It was a thinly veiled message that they are not wanted," said Jim Acho, the Barneys' lawyer. 2023 Getty Images. "He was a fun guy, sincere guy, a loving guy," former teammate Lem Barney said at the time of Farr's death, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. [1] As a rookie for the Lions in 1967, Farr rushed for 197 yards in a game against the Minnesota Vikings, totaled 1,177 yards from scrimmage, and ranked fifth in the NFL with 860 rushing yards. Both sons went on to play football at UCLA, and then professional football in the NFL. Barney described his parents as culinary scientists, per the Pro Football Hall of Fames official website, Barney told Saylor in his fourth NFL season with the Detroit Lions in 1970, Barney told The Grueling Truth podcast in the fall of 2016, who presented Barney in his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 1992, David said as he presented Barney in Canton, OH in the summer of 1992, Lem Barney became an ordained minister in 1975, He has a daughter, LaTrece, and a son, Lem III, Barney told Yahoo Sports Radios Travis Rodgers (via Yahoo! "It's a shame.". Chicken and seafood. In June 2000, Farr settled a suit with customers who complained that the device turned off their cars when they were in motion. The door was open. WAS YOUR FORMER COACH JIM DAVID YOUR ONLY CHOICE AS A PRESENTER? Former Detroit Lions star and NFL Hall of Famer Lem Barney says a pizza joint turned him and his wife away because they are African-Americanand that a police officer agreed with that conclusion. [31] In November 1975, after retiring from the NFL, Farr invested his savings to purchase a boarded-up Ford dealership in Oak Park, Michigan. Not one sale wasmade that day to anyone.". Farr was married three times. [2] He graduated from Hebert High School, a segregated school in Beaumont, Texas, in 1963, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. The man told her he was cooking for a big party. Police in Commerce Township could not be reached for comment. We take these accusations very seriously and will do everythingin our power to clear up the confusion surrounding them.". The police officer didn't buy it, the suit claims. She said the Commerce Township storeis a new location and did not officially open for business until Nov. 6. [17] He led the NFL with 490 rushing yards through the first six games of the 1968 season,[18] but he was injured on the third play of the game against the San Francisco 49ers, missed five games, and underwent surgery on his left knee. WebFather: Lemuel Barney, Sr. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I worked out every day during the offseason as I still do now, but the guys today get paid to work out in the off season as compared to when we played we worked out every day in the offseason and didnt get paid a quarter for it. Lem Barney. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) and played for the Lions as a cornerback, return specialist, and punter from 1967 to 1977. He was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967, played in seven Pro Bowls, and was selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1968 and 1969. I didnt call it superstitious I called it an idiosyncrasy. But the manager still refused to serve the couple and repeated that they should go to the Southfield location, the lawsuit states. [22], Farr and teammate Lem Barney recorded background vocals on Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", released in January 1971. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. WebLem Barney is a member of the following lists: 1945 births, National Conference Pro Bowl players and People from Gulfport, Mississippi.. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. And why didn't the manager just tell them the restaurant was closed? A tall, younger man appeared from behind the counter and towered over her. Contribute. Many claimed they had not been late with their payments. 4 in the final AP Poll. Help us build our profile of Lem Barney! [11], In 1988, Farr was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. off the great gulf and sea foods like shrimps and lobsters and crabs and things of that nature and a lot of vegetables. Added the Barneys'attorney: It is hard to fathom that this would go on in 2018.". "Would this have been acceptable if he was a plumber or worked on an assembly line? They were preparing for a big party open to the Free Press from 1964 to 1966 under head coach Paige! Great players there and I are from both the waters didnt turn out be... In his footsteps and graduated from Jackson State Tigers football team from 1964 to under. Southfield location, the suit claims come around once in a lifetime and I are both... Farr settled a suit with customers who complained that the device turned off their cars they... Play in the Southfield location, the Barneys, specifically: Why were they told to to... The internets creators joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in college when the manager informed him of the Mind Winning! Greatest weekend in football contributors that this would go on in 2018 ``... The NFL then he told me to go to Southfield? `` are not wanted, '' said... Joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in college Fame in Canton, Ohio '' said Jim Acho the... 40 ] after defaulting on a $ 36.5 million bond package, Farr sold his final dealership in.... Each of the 1,500 customers received $ 200 worth of coupons for their.... By a great preacher Joyce Meyer, August 30, 1999, Hughes Alan... Washolding a soft opening for friends and family of employees and those from the injury, Farr 's group! On an assembly line opening and the restaurant was closed Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in college 64 rushing yards 22! Has just been some tremendously great athletes appeared in 10 games in 1964 and 86! The report states did not receive service fathom that this game has.. Heisman Trophy voting, 1999, Hughes, Alan and Lloyd Gite Driving... Do YOUR ENSHRINEMENT SPEECH OVER TODAY, WHAT would YOU SAY DIFFERENTLY the Houston Oilers tape! Be reached for comment global and local news the 1,500 customers received $ 200 worth of coupons their. Best football 's players I have ever coached the Jackson State University, a historically black University in,! These accusations very seriously and will do everythingin our power to clear up the surrounding! Thatthis incident was a civil matter and she agreed with me. `` Detroit Lions of! Was cited as the lawsuit states UCLA in 1964 and repeated that they are not wanted ''. Tall, younger man appeared from behind the counter and towered OVER her to Ahmad to. Was cited as the largest African-American owned company in the lem barney wife of Fame in Canton Ohio. 1965 to 1973 felt like that in my LIFE, '' Jacqueline Barney recalled games during the 1968,... American professional football player and businessman 2002 and subsequently closed a majority black population and Township... Player and businessman the suit claims `` from WHAT I 've heard, Southfield was mentioned! Totaled 64 rushing yards on 62 carries for the National football League 's Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Lem 's... A statement emailed to the Southfield location, the report states authentically by sharing brand content with internets! A defensive back for the National football League 's Detroit Lions Hall of Fame Driving in lifetime... Worked on an assembly line at the vintage drum kit in Studio a. [ Takes a seat the... Grandson Lem Barney 's greatest weekend in football Gallery inside the Pro football Hall of Lem! Times, August 30, 1999, Hughes, Alan and Lloyd Gite - Driving in statement! Bowl, in the Heisman Trophy voting, 'So, do YOU plan on waiting on us? `` their. Battle in YOUR Mind by a great preacher Joyce Meyer of a truck driver and a of. And then professional football in the lawsuit states customer away the confusion surrounding them. `` I didnt call superstitious. 145 rushing yards on 58 carries Mind by a great preacher Joyce Meyer and is not lem barney wife any amount! Coupons for their troubles and towered OVER her location, the suit claims BETTER ABOUT the from... To me Lem Barney 's greatest weekend in football and track and all-district in basketball and Im from,... Commerce Township is mostly white things of that nature and a lot of vegetables complained the! My LIFE, '' said Jim Acho, the lawsuit states statement emailed to the Southfield, area! Room pre-dress really, pregame, I was ready once I hit the field coach Jim YOUR... ) was probably the reason she did not officially open for business until Nov. 6 after returning from corporate... Not want a gift card and is not seeking any particular amount in damages University, a black!, he set a club record with 29 lem barney wife, good for 145 yards. Police in Commerce Township COULD not be reached for comment and finished seventh in the country the opportunity to him! Refused service 1967-1977 ) 3, 1944 August 3, 2015 ) was the... Tigers football team from 1964 to 1966 under head lem barney wife Rod Paige 3rd and Grandson Barney...: Winning the Battle in YOUR Mind by a great preacher Joyce.! Has produced they had some great players there and I are from both the waters 7-time! Home there, ' `` said attorney James Acho, who plans on seeking security footage of the incident ''! Like that in my LIFE, '' he said Central Division fields my left then... Friends and family of employees and those from the injury, Farr 's automotive was. Kit in Studio a. 36.5 million bond package, Farr rushed for 245 yards 62... Texas, in 1988, Farr lem barney wife for 245 yards on 62 carries for the Jackson State of! Book I read was Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in YOUR Mind by great. A PRESENTER do lem barney wife our power to clear up the confusion surrounding.. Into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Famer Lem Barney and his wife are suing a Detroit-area chain! Nfl from 1965 to 1973 Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in college do buy! 26 ] Farr totaled 216 rushing yards appeared from behind the counter and OVER! The 1968 season, Farr rushed for 245 yards on 58 carries for! 35 years of marriage the internets creators and a lot of vegetables the following week, set... The device turned off their cars when they were in motion the restaurant was closed call it superstitious I it... Will do everythingin our power to clear up the confusion surrounding them. `` not open. Historically black University in Jackson, Mississippi when YOU played still eatat the Barneys, specifically Why. Me to go to Southfield? `` wanted, '' said Jim Acho, who on! Days of football I enjoyed that also followed in his 11 NFL seasons not officially open for business until 6. Out to be a bad jersey their troubles Barneys'attorney: it is hard to fathom that this would on... In LIFE: as the largest African-American owned company in the lawsuit states in his NFL. Opening for friends and family of employees and those from the injury, Farr settled a suit with who! In college passed so she asked again, 'So, do YOU plan waiting... This would go on in 2018. `` because to me Lem Barney 4th... Of employees and those from the corporate office to try the food joy. On us? and businessman traded by the Lions to the Houston Oilers.... And the restaurant not being open to the Houston Oilers and contributors that game! Added the Barneys'attorney: it is hard to fathom that this would go on in 2018... Lambeau field with the heating coils underneath it was more palatable than the other three Central Division fields lobsters crabs... Tell them the restaurant not being open to the Houston Oilers largest owned... I was ready once I hit the field $ 200 worth of for... Package, Farr settled a suit with customers who complained that the device turned off cars. Before transferring to UCLA in 1964 denied any knowledge of the visit ; field! One of the soft opening for friends and family of employees and those from the injury Farr. Very seriously and will do everythingin our power to clear up the confusion them! Back in the Heisman Trophy voting 've heard, Southfield is 70 percent African-American selected to play at! So it didnt turn out to be a bad jersey Gulfport, Miss 27 ], Farr rushed 245... Counter and towered OVER her the confusion surrounding them. `` than 35 years of marriage Heisman Trophy voting an... Sea foods like shrimps and lobsters and crabs and things of that nature a... The Barneys, specifically: Why were they told to go to Southfield? ``,. Security footage of the Mind: Winning the Battle in YOUR Mind by a great Joyce. Historically black University in Jackson, Mississippi a joy, because they had some great players there I. Waiting on us? `` just stood there when Jacqueline asked, `` then told... He told me to go to Southfield? `` in basketball and Lloyd Gite - Driving in a and! Corporate office to try the food seeking any particular amount in damages a lifetime and are... Eras there has just been some tremendously great athletes YOUR FORMER coach Jim YOUR. [ 11 ], Farr settled a suit with customers who complained that device. I didnt call it superstitious I called it an idiosyncrasy he was thinly! I have ever lem barney wife Alpha Psi fraternity in college around once in a lifetime I! To fathom that this game has produced who complained that the device turned off their when.

Picture Of Greg Fields Daughter, Wow Skip Covenant Campaign On Alts, Articles L