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The Detroit Lions have fired longtime pro personnel director Sheldon White.

(AP Photo)

The Detroit Lions have parted ways with longtime director of pro personnel Sheldon White, multiple sources have confirmed with MLive.

White, who played for the Lions from 1990-92, rejoined the organization as a scout in 1997. He was promoted to director of pro personnel in 2000 to replace the departing Kevin Colbert, and continued in that role the past 15 years. White later served as the interim general manager after the Lions fired Martin Mayhew in November.

White issued a statement Thursday afternoon.

"I want to thank the Ford family for allowing me to work with the Detroit Lions for 19 years. My children are true Michiganders. I also want to personally thank Mrs. Ford for giving me the opportunity to be the interim general manager for the last half of the 2015 season. Hopefully we will carry the momentum from our 6-2 finish into the 2016 season. GO LIONS!"

The Lions interviewed White for the permanent general manager position, but ultimately selected New England Patriots director of pro scouting Bob Quinn.

Team president Rod Wood thanked White for his services in the interim role after hiring Quinn.

"Sheldon has done an exemplary job under less-than-ideal circumstances," Wood said at the time. "We appreciate his professionalism and contributions as our interim GM."

At the Senior Bowl last week, Quinn said White stayed behind to work on free agency preparation and his role with the team was still being evaluated.

Last month, Quinn hired Jacksonville Jaguars director of college scouting Kyle O'Brien to oversee Detroit's pro and college scouting departments. The general manager also announced there would continue to be a pro personnel director, a role White was currently filling.

White is the third high-level member of the Lions front office who has been let go by Quinn. The team also cut ties with former college scouting director Scott McEwen and senior personnel executive Cedric Saunders.

Quinn has made multiple additions to his front office beyond O'Brien. The Lions also brought on Matt Harriss to serve as vice president of football administration and named Kevin Anderson chief of staff.

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