Allen Park, Mich. - The Detroit Lions announced today that Martha Firestone Ford, who has led the Lions since 2014, has decided to step aside from her principal leadership role with the team.
Under the team's established plan, Mrs. Ford's daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, has succeeded her mother as the team's principal owner and chairman. Mrs. Hamp has been active in team leadership and National Football League activities for several years in preparation for officially assuming team leadership.
MARTHA FIRESTONE FORD
"It has been a great honor for our family to be associated with the Lions and with the National Football League. I am gratified that this family tradition, which my husband and I began almost six decades ago, will continue under Sheila's guiding hand. It is clear to me that Sheila will provide superb leadership and is fully committed to competitive excellence and community involvement."
SHEILA FORD HAMP
"My mother has inspired all of us since taking on leadership of the Lions over six years ago. She has been a tireless leader to our family, our team and our community. Her smart decisions have given me a solid foundation to take the team forward. On behalf of the family and the team, I want to thank her for her countless contributions. I look forward to leading the Lions to excellence on and off the field."
View photos of Lions Principal Owner and Chairman Sheila Ford Hamp
Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp celebrates the first-round draft pick in the Detroit Lions draft room on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford and Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp during Day 11 of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp and Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford greets season ticket members before a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp and Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford talks to Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Eliza Getz, Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford and Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp pack boxes of Kroger food products for those in need as part of the Lions Huddle for 100 event Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Detroit (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford and Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp during Day 11 of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp, Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn, Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia in the Detroit Lions draft room on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp before an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp and Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford talks to Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford, Detroit Lions vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp, Detroit Lions team president Rod Wood and Detroit Lions vice chair Elizabeth Ford Kontulis during Day 11 of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
