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Ford Motor Company and the Detroit Lions Team Up With the Mike Utley Foundation

21 July 2000

Ford Motor Company and the Detroit Lions Team Up With the Mike Utley Foundation to Find a Cure for Paralysis

    PONTIAC, Mich. - Ford Motor Company will host the first-ever Mike Utley 
"Thumbs Up" Bike Tour on July 22, 2000 to benefit the Mike Utley Foundation.  
The approximately 85-mile bike ride will begin at the Pontiac Silverdome and 
continue to the Detroit Lions' training camp at Saginaw Valley State College.  
The race will be concluded with Detroit Lions' players and coaches hosting an 
informal BBQ dinner with Mike Utley.

    "We are proud to help launch this effort in Michigan," said Jim O'Connor,
president Ford Division and Chairman of the Marketing, Sales and Service
Diversity Council.  "Ford Motor Company has a long history in supporting
programs to assist people with disabilities."

    Mike Utley, a former Detroit Lion (#60), was paralyzed on November 19,
1991 during a Lions-Rams game at the Silverdome.  Since then, he has dedicated
himself to finding a cure for paralysis.  Through the Mike Utley Foundation,
money raised is distributed to selected research and rehabilitation centers,
which are working on a cure for spinal cord related injuries.  The Foundation
also assists spinal cord injured patients and their families with emotional
support and education.

    This inaugural bike ride will benefit the Mike Utley Foundation as well as
the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.  Ford Motor Company will serve as
the Presenting Sponsor for the event.  News/Talk 760 WJR, the Detroit Lions,
the Detroit Red Wings and Absopure Water have also made special contributions.

    The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2000 at the
Pontiac Silverdome.  All riders must secure at least $200 in pledges and
awards will be given to those individuals and teams raising the highest amount
of contributions.  Special awards will also be given to disabled riders who
raise the most money.