Lions Owner & Chair Martha Firestone Ford yesterday spoke publicly for the first time since the death of her husband, late team Owner William Clay Ford Sr., and she "expressed delight about the recent experience of being in charge," according to Josh Katzenstein of the DETROIT NEWS. She said, "Wonderful. I've loved it. I've made every away game along with the ones here, and I really enjoy it." Katzenstein notes while she and her children "haven't addressed the media since her husband died, Ford has been a visible and active owner at team headquarters in Allen Park and at the team's road games." She "frequently attends practice, and during minicamp on Tuesday, she spoke with" team President Tom Lewand and GM Martin Mayhew "throughout the two-hour practice." Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he speaks with the owner "periodically." Caldwell: "One of the things you'll find out very, very quickly is that she knows football. She reads it, she studies, she knows what's going on." Lions S James Ihedigbo: "She's almost out here every other day, and to see her and the support that she has for us and being able to even know us by name and have conversations with her, it's awesome" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/17). In Detroit, Drew Sharp writes Ford came across "as the sweet, doting grandmother who wants -- and expects -- nothing but the best from her kids." While Ford "didn't say much," it "was more important that she spoke, period." The organization "understandably insulated her from media scrutiny last year." Ford "nervously uttered an 'Oh, dear' as cameras and microphones aggressively thrust themselves closer to her" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/17). Also in Detroit, Dave Birkett notes Ford "shed some light on her inclusive management style." Lewand and Mayhew will continue to "handle day-to-day operations of the organization" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/17).
