Ex-Lion Lem Barney accuses Detroit area pizza chain of discrimination
Lem Barney during the Pro Football Hall of Fame half time show during the Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions game at Ford Field on October 18, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
DETROIT (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.
The lawsuit filed in Detroit's federal court Monday says Lem and Jacqueline Barney went to Happy's Pizza in Commerce Township Nov. 2. 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."
The Barneys are black. Southfield has a majority black population and Commerce Township is mostly white.
The lawsuit says the Barneys called the police. The restaurant manager told an officer that the Barneys were denied service because workers were preparing for a corporate catering event.
The Associated Press left a message Monday seeking comment from Happy's Pizza.