The Detroit Free Press
He took charge of the franchise in December 2008
Lions president Tom Lewand was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Friday night in Roscommon County.
"I am deeply sorry for my actions and take full responsibility for them," Lewand said in a statement released by the team Saturday night. "As a person in active Michigan alcohol rehab, I am committed to taking all necessary steps to insure nothing like this ever happens again."
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist confirmed the incident and said that Lewand had been released from police custody. Lewand did not return a phone call from the Free Press Saturday night.
It is not clear what, if any, disciplinary action Lewand will face from team ownership or the NFL, or if they were aware of any alcohol addiction treatment.
Lewand has worked in a variety of roles with the Lions for 16 years. He became the team president in late December 2008, succeeding Matt Millen, who had been fired during the season.
Lewand, who has three degrees from the University of Michigan, oversees the team's day-to-day operations. He reports to owner William Clay Ford, according to the team's Web site, "on all business, organizational and NFL matters."
The Lions' site also says: "Lewand's fundamental principle is to consistently present the Lions as a first-class organization with a clear sense of mission and direction."
Lewand has deep roots in Michigan. He has earned undergraduate, business and law degrees from U-M. His father, F. Thomas Lewand, was the chief of staff for Gov. James Blanchard, and his grandfather, Joseph B. Sullivan, was the deputy mayor of Detroit in the 1960s.
Lions president Tom Lewand was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Friday night in Roscommon County.
"I am deeply sorry for my actions and take full responsibility for them," Lewand said in a statement released by the team Saturday night. "As a person in active Michigan alcohol rehab, I am committed to taking all necessary steps to insure nothing like this ever happens again."
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist confirmed the incident and said that Lewand had been released from police custody. Lewand did not return a phone call from the Free Press Saturday night.
It is not clear what, if any, disciplinary action Lewand will face from team ownership or the NFL, or if they were aware of any alcohol addiction treatment.
Lewand has worked in a variety of roles with the Lions for 16 years. He became the team president in late December 2008, succeeding Matt Millen, who had been fired during the season.
Lewand, who has three degrees from the University of Michigan, oversees the team's day-to-day operations. He reports to owner William Clay Ford, according to the team's Web site, "on all business, organizational and NFL matters."
The Lions' site also says: "Lewand's fundamental principle is to consistently present the Lions as a first-class organization with a clear sense of mission and direction."
Lewand has deep roots in Michigan. He has earned undergraduate, business and law degrees from U-M. His father, F. Thomas Lewand, was the chief of staff for Gov. James Blanchard, and his grandfather, Joseph B. Sullivan, was the deputy mayor of Detroit in the 1960s.
