ESPYS 'In Memoriam' Tribute Leaves Out William Clay Ford Sr.
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Four NFL owners died in the last year, and ESPN honored two of them at the ESPYS Wednesday night.
When ESPN's Chris Berman introduced the "In Memoriam" slideshow-style tribute, which featured three-second video clips of more than 20 sports figures, he mentioned that the league had lost four owners in the past year.
Included in the tribute were clips of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson and Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, but Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer - who also owned Manchester United - were not recognized.
Tony Ortiz of 97.1 The Ticket, who also works as the sideline reporter for the Lions, was baffled by ESPN's choice to omit Ford.
"It's shortsighted and stupid," Ortiz said. "I don't understand it."
Ortiz was not the only one who reacted to the lack of recognition for the longtime Lions owner.
A number of fans took to Twitter to express their surprise and, for some, disappointment.
No William Clay Ford memorial during the ESPYS?!?! That's an absolute travesty. Did so much for the #DetroitLions and the #NFL #ESPYS2014 ????
— Troy Weaver Szn (@Fozare1991) July 17, 2014
They did a slideshow of those sports figures who passed away and they didn't mention #Lions owner William Clay Ford Jr.?! Smh ???????????? #ESPYS
— EdwardRichardsonJr (@EdRichardsonJr) July 17, 2014
@ESPYS Too bad you forgot @Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. #Lame
— Alex (@TheAlexEngstrom) July 17, 2014
No love for William Clay Ford Sr.?
— Ariel Wilkerson (@SportsProtegeA) July 17, 2014
I'm sorry did I just miss something at the #ESPYS2014 or did they not mention William Clay Ford Sr. Passing? I did look away for a second
— FuckYouBS (@bs09090) July 17, 2014
Where was William Clay Ford in the In Memoriam? Didn't see him
— Matt T. #WBOS #B1GChamps (@michiganlions) July 17, 2014
#ESPYS2014 The owners of the Buccaneers and Lions not worthy of In Memorium tribute?
— Spatula City????????☮️ (@Spatula8) July 17, 2014
Hmmm espn must have forgotten that William clay ford sr. died...
— beckweet (@justinbeckweet) July 17, 2014
Really surprised the ESPY's left longtime Lions owner William Clay Ford off of their "In Memoriam" tribute
— John Henry Smith (@jhsthethird) July 17, 2014
Neither ESPN nor the Lions immediately responded to requests for comment.