No. 70: Martha Ford

Martha Ford, the 90-year-old principal owner of the Lions, has proved that she means business. She took over the team when her husband, William Clay Ford, Sr.,

Martha Ford, the 90-year-old principal owner of the Lions, has proved that she means business. She took over the team when her husband, William Clay Ford, Sr., died in 2014, and pivoted from the patience he had so often practiced in his 50 years (of mostly losing) at the helm of the franchise. In the middle of last season, she fired the general manager and president, and then made a smart hire in tabbing Patriots pro scouting director Bob Quinn to be the new GM. The message has been sent: Martha Ford isn’t going to idly wait for a winner.

— Jenny Vrentas