After six seasons as the principal owner of the Detroit Lions, Martha Ford is stepping down and handing the duties over to daughter Sheila Ford Hamp, the team announced on Monday.
You can read the statements from both of them below:
Mrs. Ford took over as the Lions owner following the passing of her husband, William Clay Ford Sr. on March 9, 2014. The team reached the postseason under Ford's ownership in 2014 and 2016.
The Lions compiled a record of 45-50-1 over Ford's six seasons as the owner, including three winning seasons over a four-year stretch from 2014 to 2017.
Although the Lions enjoyed a brief period of winning success under Ford, she was criticized for retaining head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn for the 2020 season. The team has finished last in the NFC North division in each of the last two seasons.
But the hiring of Quinn has brought some success on the field for the Lions. Needless to say, this is a make-or-break year for both him and Patricia, who can't afford another losing and non-playoff season.
Matthew Stafford remains one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, while Kenny Golladay has emerged as one of the league's best wide receivers.
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The Lions added former New England Patriots players Danny Shelton, Duron Harmon and Jamie Collins to address the defense. They also drafted future star cornerback Jeffrey Okudah with the third overall selection, so there is reason for optimism in Detroit this year.
Expectations aren't exactly high for the Lions entering the 2020 season, but the NFL added an additional wild card playoff team for each conference. That gives them a much better chance of qualifying for the postseason, which would go a long way in saving the jobs of Quinn and Patricia.
Tuesday marks new ownership for the Lions. Now, fans can only hope that they'll start seeing a change in on-field results as well.
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