Thursday open thread: Is Sheila Ford Hamp overstepping?

There has been a lot of chatter around Sheila Ford Hamp’s involvement with the Detroit Lions over the last few months and even more in recent days. The hubbub was caused by Chris Spielman, the special assistant to Rod Wood and Sheila Ford, told 97.1 The Ticket how impressed he was that Ford Hamp has been sitting in on free agent meetings with the team.

“It just goes to show her commitment to what she wants and how involved she is,” Spielman said earlier in the week. “Being in these meetings, giving her opinion, which is fun, and it’s cool to see the commitment that she has.”

It doesn't surprise me at all that this is causing a bit of a stir. For one, it’s the end of February with very little happening around the NFL. And two, Lions fans will be skeptical of just about anything and everything this organization does until games start being played and a winning culture is built.

With that in mind, here’s today’s question of the day?

Is Sheila Ford Hamp overstepping in her role as the owner?

My answer: Not at all.

This isn’t going to be some sort of Jerry Jones scenario where Ford Hamp comes down to Brad Holmes’ office and tries to convince him to sign some player she just got done watching on film. But also keep in mind that she’s in information-gathering mode too as a relatively new owner.

Is the fact that she was in the room worrisome? Not at all. At the end of the day, she made these hires and they all ultimately report to her. For the Lions culture to actually change after decades of turmoil and heartbreak it has to start at the very top—with Sheila Ford Hamp.

She has to set the entire direction for the organization.

I actually would be more concerned if she was nowhere to be seen. Having an owner who is actually involved in the football results is new to Lions fans, but it shouldn't be scary.

It should be welcomed.

Your turn.