Here’s a re-post of an article by Jason Deegan about our efforts …

Local Detroit Lions fans on the warpath against Ford

Posted by Jason Deegan January 16, 2009 00:00AM

When I last talked to Dick Lewis and Steve Gafford, the Detroit Lions were 4-0 in the preseason and things were looking rosier for Detroit’s most beleaguered pro sports franchise.

Lewis, a Hamburg Township resident, and Gafford, a Pinckney native, weren’t drinking the “Kool-Aid,” as Gafford put it, about the promise of the 2008 season.

They had launched their sports marketing company, P&P Marketing, in an attempt to oust Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. With the theme “Mr. Ford, Please sell the Team,” they made it clear they had had enough of stumbling, pathetic Lions.

Then the Lions got even worse. They finished 0-16, the worst record in NFL history. General Manager Matt Millen and coach Rod Marinelli were fired, but Lewis still believes that isn’t enough.

He has paid for two roadside billboards in northern Michigan to continue his fight against Ford’s leadership. He said he tried to lease several signs along highways in metro Detroit, but the companies who control them “didn’t want to do anything controversial.”

Cost also was an issue. He’s promoting his message on billboards near the intersection of US-23 and M-65 near Omer and on M-20 just west of Mount Pleasant.

Lewis admitted he hasn’t sold as many T-shirts and bumper stickers as he would have liked from his Web site, www.pleaseselltheteam.com. He blames apathy on the part of the fans.

The Lions won NFL championships in 1952, 1953 and 1957 but have just one playoff win in five postseason appearances since Ford bought the team in 1964.

“I think the fans, they don’t give a rat’s butt (about the team) unless you are a true fan who doesn’t mind getting hit over the head,” Lewis said. “They are disgusted. Who really cares? We are in a perpetual rebuilding program every 40 years.”

Wow, shocker! Mr.Ford finally fires Matt Millen after an abysmal record of 31 Wins and 84 Loses. It’s about time sir, today we applaud your good sense!

Okay, seriously… What about right now?

This was a great piece of advertising when you were winning every game in the preseason. Remember, you guys beat the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and we all considered the possibility that this year might be different. Hope and optimism was all around Detroit sports-land and we fans couldn’t wait to get the season rockin’, right here, right now!

All our dreams of making the Playoffs, let alone going to the Super Bowl, went out the window in the first quarter of the first game. The Atlanta Falcons, with rookie quarterback and first year coach, scored 21 unanswered and virtually uncontested points. Game two and three against the Green Bay Packers and 49′ers ended in similar fashion, the Lions looking terrible and us fans in disbelief.

Reality has set in, we are going to have another typical Lions year. Disappointing and sad, like us sucker fans who contiune to watch and patronize this debacle. Just do us the favor of discontinuing this “What About Right Now” ad. It’s insulting and laughable given your pathetic 0 and 3 start.

Each week, Steve Schrader hands out “Stevies” to the best, the worst and the weirdest from the week that was in sports. I not sure which one we are, best, worst or weirdest… you decide! Read the article below:

The “Not a Seller’s Market” award

To the P&P Marketing, the Pinckney company started by a couple of frustrated Lions fans to sell T-shirts, signs, bumper stickers, etc., that say: “Mr. Ford, Please Sell the Team” (at pleaseselltheteam.com). Yeah, like that’s going to happen. And is it really right to profit on other people’s suffering?

Detroit Free Press Article

Now if I can just figure out if Mr.Schrader was asking us or Mr.Ford if “is it really right to profit on other people’s suffering?”

It looks like we received a nice write up from Michael Zuidema over at The Grand Rapids Press. Michael writes a column called “The Benchwarmer”  which is also posted on mlive.com.

Well, one group has grown tired of taking shots to the sensitive zone. A group of Pinckney-based fans have founded the Web site, PleaseSellTheTeam.com, in an effort to change the Lions’ losing ways by pleading with owner Bill Ford to, well, you get the idea.

Check out the full article here…

“Mr.Ford, Please Sell The Team.”

Like many football fans, Dick and Steve are frustrated with the performance of Mr.Ford’s football team. His team’s only consistencies over the years are disappointing seasons and ownership.

Dick decided to be proactive with his frustration for the team. He has taken his favorite catch phrase, “Mr.Ford, Please Sell The Team!” and used it to start a sports marketing company. Dick invited his long time friend and equally frustrated fan, Steve, to join him in this venture. They hope to voice a plea to Mr. Bill Ford. “Please Sell The Team.” They plan to sell Bumper Stickers, T-shirts, Window Signs and other items. If you or friends share their sentiment, items will be available at their website, www.pleaseselltheteam.com.

Mr.Ford Purchased the team in 1964. In 43 years they have won 1 playoff game.

Every year there is always a reason and normally a different reason for a disappointing season. Support our cause by visiting our websites, www.pleaseselltheteam.com or www.sellourteam.com

DOWNLOAD THE .PDF PRESS RELEASE

In 1964, William Clay Ford, Sr. purchased a controlling interest in the team for $4.5 million. This began a 43-year period that continues today, during which the Lions have won just one playoff game.

Information and statistics from wikipedia.org