ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions only officially announced the hiring of Rod Wood as team president one day ago, but the longtime Ford family adviser has had a voice in the organization's decision-making process for far longer.
In fact, owner Martha Firestone Ford sought Wood's council before making the decision to part with his predecessor, Tom Lewand.
"Well, I was involved in the discussions leading up to that decision," Wood said. "Mrs. Ford was the one that made the final decision, she was the one that informed both Tom and Martin (Mayhew)."
Wood insists he wasn't eyeing the team's president position at the time of those conversations.