Al Davis and William Clay Ford, Sr. Two national icons in the United States.
The former being the one-time coach of the once mighty Oakland Raiders, who is now their owner and general manager. The latter is a magnate in the car manufacturing industry who is the owner of the Detroit Lions.
Their contribution to society and the game of football is indisputable. But after years of making all the right decisions, they are both making the same mistake at this very moment.
They are both meddling with their football team, and making a big mess of it.
Under the tutelage of Davis, the Lions were once one of the mightiest teams in the NFL. Their black and silver jersey once struck fear into opposing teams, and their three Superbowl wins in the late 70s' and early 80s' were evidence of their excellence.
But Davis, now nearly in his 80s', still retains his role as the team's general manager, and has made some curious decisions in recent years. The prime examples are the signing of virtually unknown defensive tackle Tommy Kelly to a lucrative contract, and his open and public undermining of head coach Lane Kiffin who, despite improving the team in many aspects, is likely to be fired at any moment.
For Ford, his sins is much simpler: He has placed his trust on the wrong person but is not willing to admit it, despite everyone inside (including his son) and outside the organization knows that Matt Millen, the general manager of the team, is probably the worst in any sports. Under Millen, the Lions have a lousy record and his personnel moves were equally questionable, which is epitomized by his drafting of three wide receivers in the first round in three consecutive years, and none of them really pans out.
Two once-proud franchises, two franchises that could have been run in a much better way.
Only if the owners were willing to listen.
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