The Detroit Lions had a magical 2023 regular season, winning 12 games and their first-ever NFC North division title. However, this also means they will have a chance to end a 31-season-long playoff win drought.
In their playoff game, the Lions will get the prime-time light against the Los Angeles Rams. What does the WCF stand for on their uniforms?
Meaning Behind the WCF Letters on Lions Jerseys
Since 2017, the Lions have worn jerseys featuring the initials “WCF” on the left sleeve. The initials stand for William Clay Ford, the Lions’ former owner from 1963 until 2014 when he passed away. The team is now owned by his widow, Martha Firestone Ford.
Before 2017, the Lions wore the WCF initials on a patch on the chest of the jersey. The initials have appeared on Lions uniforms since 2014 and were announced as permanent in 2017.
Lions' new uni set moves William Clay Ford "WCF" perma-memorial from chest to left sleeve. Old version on left, new on right. pic.twitter.com/GJ5JigOZVk
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) August 26, 2017
William Clay Ford was the grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford. Following the death of Henry Ford, he was appointed to Ford Motor Company’s board of directors. He had worked for the company after graduating from Yale. He stayed as Ford Motor Company’s Design Committee Chairman for 32 years from 1957 to 1989.
Additionally, Ford served on the board of directors for 57 years before retiring in 2005. His son, William Clay Ford Jr., was the company’s CEO at the time of his retirement.
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Ford was a minority owner and team president of the Lions in 1961 but took advantage of a power struggle to acquire total control of the franchise. To do so, he had to buy out 144 other shareholders for $4.5 million, which is equivalent to $43 million in 2022. Edwin J. Anderson and D. Lyle Fife were the other owners in the power struggle.
Ford’s passing came just before his 89th birthday as a result of pneumonia. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, near his parents and older brother.
The Lions aren’t the only team to have this on their jerseys. The Chicago Bears also feature the initials GSH on their jerseys, honoring George S. Halas, who founded and owned the franchise.
During Ford’s ownership, the Lions won 41% of their regular season games and made the playoffs 10 times, winning just one of them. They never appeared in a Super Bowl during his tenure or life. On top of the Lions, Ford was also chairman of the short-lived Detroit Cougars, a professional soccer team, from 1967-1968.
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