It all started to change when she took over in 2020.
She opened up the purse strings and hand chose some really amazing people to run the team.
It all starts from the top.
“My noble cause, after a lot of thought, was the city of Detroit, the fans, the state, everybody that’s supported the Lions for so many years,” she said.
When searching for a change, they decided that leadership and culture were the top traits they needed instilled in the next regime.
And what would a win in February mean to the team and Hamp?
“I’ve thought about it, yes I’ve had. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t,” she said.
“I’ve really thought about it would be the most wonderful thing for the city, the fans, my family, altogether, holding that trophy up - it would be fantastic.”
Bill Ford Jr was instrumental in bending his father’s ear to hire Millen. That decade of disaster is probably the primary reason Sheila became the managing partner among the four siblings.
She brought in MCDC and Homes, which was bold considering we needed proven people at that point.
Campbell brought in his guys. Someone like Glenn, who I’ve been lobbying for them to get rid of. Thankfully Dan sees the big picture unlike us fans at times
Sheila took over the team at the start of the 2020 season and watched the house burn down under Matt Patricia. She fired MP after a Thanksgiving Day loss…and two weeks later, on December 15th 2020, she hired Chris Spielman.
That is the day this franchise changed, IMHO.
Sheila hired the right person in Chris, and he is by far the least appreciated when it comes to credit for this franchise awakening. Chris steered the ship during the hiring of Brad and Dan.
Much love for Sheila, she’s is a great leader and deserves a ton of credit. But the appreciation I feel for SFH revolves around her hiring of Chris. Her parents tried with Matt Millen, and we know how that worked out. But Sheila had no fear or reservation from past failures, and took a chance on another gritty Linebacker to guide this football organization…and got it right this time.
What I like best about Shiela was when she was boo’d early on by the fans and she just took and kind of nodded like I know the only thing that makes this change is winning. No words of hope are going to fix this situation.
So she went to work and did not let that bother her one bit. If anything she seemed to take it to heart and as a challenge. Which is something Bill Jr. tried to do but failed. Picked the wrong people.
We were 1-7, 4- to many losses overall.
She goes on TV and says she’s sticking to the plan, and believes in what is being built.
I rolled my eyes, and spat on the ground in disgust.
Thank goodness she’s a wiser person then me.
Love you Sheila. Thank you.
