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Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford, left, chats with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the first meeting of the week concluded in Phoenix.

(Kyle Meinke | MLive.com)

PHOENIX -- Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey said he wanted Martha Firestone Ford to become more involved in the league's proceedings.

And it looks like he'll get his wish.

The Detroit Lions owner is personally attending this week's NFL owners meetings at the Arizona Biltmore hotel, a plush estate nestled at the foot of the Phoenix Mountains. And she exited the first meeting of the week with none other than Roger Goodell himself.

Ford declined to speak with reporters and is not expected to make any public statements this week. She still has not made any remarks since taking over the franchise following the death of her late husband, William Clay Ford, last year.

She is believed to be the only current NFL owner to have never spoken publicly about his/her team.

Despite her reclusive public image, Ford seems to be taking a more active role than her husband behind the scenes. She is frequently in her Allen Park office -- something William Clay Ford rarely did, especially when his health was in decline in his final years -- and often traveled to road games last season, including the matchup against Atlanta in London.

Now she's representing the Lions here.

Most owners attend these annual spring meetings, but William Clay Ford rarely did in his final years. His son, vice chairman Bill Ford, often represented ownership. Otherwise team president Tom Lewand served as a proxy.

Now Martha Ford is attending the meetings herself, while Bill Ford is not currently here. It is unclear whether he will show up later in the week.

General manager Martin Mayhew is expected to speak with the Detroit media on Monday at around 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Lewand and coach Jim Caldwell are expected to take questions later in the week.

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