Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. died of pneumonia at his home. He was 88.
Ford ran Ford Motor Co. for more than five decades in addition to owning the Lions. He was the last surviving grandson of company founder Henry Ford.
Ford was an employee and board member of the automaker for more than half of its 100-year history.
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Mr. Ford and extend our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Ford and to the entire Ford family,” Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement. “No owner loved his team more than Mr. Ford loved the Lions. Those of us who had the opportunity to work for Mr. Ford knew of his unyielding passion for his family, the Lions and the city of Detroit.”
Ford bought the Lions in 1963 and guided their moves from Tiger Stadium to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1975 and to Ford Field in 2002.
It is expected that control of the team will go to his son, William Clay Ford Jr., who has taken on a more active role in recent years.
—The New York Jets released cornerback Antonio Cromartie. The move is not shocking, considering he is due a $5 million roster bonus later this week. It saves the Jets $9.5 million in salary cap space.
Cromartie turns 30 on April 15 and was heading into the final season of a four-year, $32 million contract.
—Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen re-signed with the team for a five-year, $42.5 million deal, ESPN reported. According to the report, $20 million of it is guaranteed.
Griffen has 17.5 sacks in the past three seasons combined and played 59 games over the past four years.
—New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who will officially become a free agent Tuesday, wants to let teams know he is medically cleared, according to documents obtained by ESPN.
Nicks has been slowed by foot and knee injuries the past two seasons but medical documents reportedly show he is fully healthy. Nicks has played 28 games the past two seasons, but his production dropped off since the Giants made him a first-round draft choice in 2009. He combined on 89 catches for 1,588 yards with three touchdowns in 2012 and ’13.
—Baltimore Ravens backup offensive lineman Jah Reid was arrested Sunday morning on two misdemeanor charges of battery in Key West, Fla. Reid, 25, was arrested at 3:14 a.m. No court date has been set.
Reid is the third Ravens player arrested in the last three weeks. Running back Ray Rice was arrested for simple assault Feb. 15 and backup wide receiver Deonte Thompson was arrested for marijuana possession Feb. 21.
Reid and another man got into a fight at the Red Garter Saloon that included several other people, according to the Monroe County Sheriff. The fight then escalated into an altercation with security officers when they tried to break it up.