In June 2020, Sheila Hamp became the principal owner of the Detroit Lions, stepping into a role left by her mother, Martha Firestone Ford. Hamp’s initial goal was clear: figure out why the team had struggled to achieve success and find the right solutions to turn its fortunes around.
In a recent in-depth, three-part feature with the Detroit Free Press, Hamp opened up about her first steps in taking on the monumental task of revitalizing the franchise. She revealed that her first call after assuming control was to Sandy Cutler, a close friend she had attended Yale with. Cutler, the former CEO of Eaton Corp., a $20.9 billion industrial manufacturing giant, was someone Hamp deeply respected for his leadership style.
Free Press Columnist @seideljeff has a wonderful feature series on Detroit Lions! From Part 1 #NFL #DetroitLions
–Dan Campbell slamming Starbucks during his Lions interview https://t.co/1MEqN0YNj7 pic.twitter.com/iOawZ2l2QM— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) January 12, 2025
Hamp explained, “My very first call was to a really good friend of mine, who I went to college with… Sandy Cutler. He ran Eaton Corp for a long time. We were great friends. I always admired his leadership style.”
When Hamp reached out, she sought advice on how to tackle the overwhelming task at hand. Cutler, who retired after a distinguished career leading Eaton, offered her invaluable insight. He told Hamp, “Well, the first thing you need to do is to define your noble cause.” He continued, “Once you’ve done that, find a few key people that buy into it, and then the rest should fall into place.”
Taking this to heart, Hamp decided that her noble cause would be to deliver a football team that the fans of the Detroit Lions and the city itself could finally be proud of.
With Cutler’s wisdom as a guide, Hamp faced challenges head-on. Whether it was the unsettling news of Matthew Stafford requesting a trade or other unforeseen obstacles, Hamp used each hurdle as an opportunity. She worked tirelessly to shift the mindset within the organization, turning every challenge into a solution-focused approach that she hopes will ultimately lead to the long-awaited success of the Detroit Lions.
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Detroit Lions Celebrate Historic Achievement by Sam LaPorta
In a standout performance during the 2024 NFL regular season, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta continued to impress in his second year. As the No. 34 overall pick from Iowa, LaPorta racked up 60 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns.
This impressive total adds to his strong performance from his Pro Bowl rookie season in 2023. With 144 career receptions, LaPorta now holds the all-time record for most receptions by a tight end in their first two seasons. The Lions took to social media on Friday to celebrate LaPorta’s historic feat, posting, “Sam’s been getting after it!” on X.
However, LaPorta’s record may not stand for long. Brock Bowers, a rookie tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders, set a new rookie record with 112 catches in his debut season, earning first-team All-Pro honors, which could potentially eclipse LaPorta’s mark in 2025.
LaPorta’s stellar play has been a key factor in the Lions’ dominant season, as Detroit finished the regular season with a 15-2 record, claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Lions will face the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round at Ford Field next weekend, following their bye in the wild-card round.
