With the Lions roaring louder than ever this season, Sheila Ford Hamp must be feeling proud. Since taking over as the principal owner and chairwoman in 2020, her leadership has been pivotal. One of her boldest decisions was bringing in general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. Clearly, those moves are paying off, as the Lions are thriving under their guidance, and the team’s resurgence is turning heads across the league.

Spoiler alert: Hamp’s influence doesn’t stop at the Lions. With athletes and leadership running in her blood, she has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the 50 most influential figures in sports.

Well, Ford is definitely making all the right moves both on and off the field. But you might wonder, who’s the “lion” by her side? Meet Steve Hamp, her husband.

Who is Sheila Ford Hamp’s husband, Steve?

Sheila Ford Hamp has a strong support system for her husband, Steve Hamp. While Sheila runs one of the NFL’s iconic franchises, Steve is leaving a mark in the world of education, economic development, and historical preservation. Interesting, isn’t it?

On top of that, being a board member of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, he burns the midnight oil to keep the riverfront beautiful, clean, and safe. Before working with Riverfront, he spent nearly three decades at The Henry Ford, serving as the historical organization’s president from 1996-2005. And that’s not all!

He was the man behind the reconstruction of Greenfield Village and the establishment of the Henry Ford Academy on the museum grounds. Well, wait for the kicker! Hamp even managed to acquire the historic Rosa Parks Bus. Now, that’s the real jaw-dropper!

A true history and culture lover, Steve completed a BA in American history from Butler and an MA in folklore and folklife from Indiana. And that’s not all! He even holds a Master of museum practice degree from Michigan. And that’s just the start of his career. Steve has a long list of professions!

What does Steve Hamp do?

If Sheila is the heart of Detriot Lions, Steve is the backbone of the franchise. And we aren’t saying this out of the blue. While Sheila handles the front office, Hamp is a powerhouse of community engagement and leadership. As the Chair of the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation, he’s moving the needle in the Detroit Promise Scholarship Program.

Hamp makes sure that education remains a top priority in the city. According to the Detroit Free Press, “He works to create an education reform system for urban K-12 schools to find new ways of economic development.”  While Steve loves to serve society, he also leads the Governing Council for The New Economy Initiative, to sow the seeds of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Detroit. And that’s not all!

Along with his wife, Sheila, he co-chairs The Purple Rose Theatre Company, pitching into the arts in Michigan. While you might be tired of reading his work, Steve’s dedication doesn’t stop here! The board member also chairs The Empowerment Program, to help homeless adults become skilled to break the cycle of generational poverty.

And the list of his board memberships is as long as a marathon. Steve’s the steering the ship of  The Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Kresge Foundation, Henry Ford, and LightUp. Can we just take a moment to bow to the king for his philanthropic activities?

Well, his kindness doesn’t end here! Hamp is also a driving force behind outdoor initiatives as Co-Chair of The Iron Belle Trail project. Moreover, he sits on the Steering Committee for The Center for Michigan. And that’s not all!

From the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy Advisory Committee to the University of Michigan’s President’s Advisory Group, the history graduate is in the fold. On top of that, Steve’s also a member of The Coalition for the Future of Detroit’s Schoolchildren. Well, it seems like the list of Steve Hamp’s career and social work is longer than the Super Bowls happened so far!

Steve surely has a heart of gold! With Steve and Sheila Ford Hamp dedicated to giving back to society, it looks like the Lions are in safe hands. And while the couple gives back to Detriot, let’s see whether the team qualifies for playoffs or not!