Lions Executive Calls Bears 'Bunch Of Thugs'

(CBS) As if Bears fans needed another reason to dislike the Lions, one executive referred to the Bears as "a bunch of thugs" while discussing his team's recent win in Detroit.

Speaking at the Lions' 20th annual Courage House dinner tonight, Lions vice chairman Bill Ford made his thoughts on the Bears known.

"It was really alive, and it was alive when we played those same bunch of thugs on Monday Night a couple (years ago)," Ford said, according to the Detroit Free Press.  "When this place gets going it's electric and we do have wonderful fans. Our fans are amazing and we would love to pay them back and bring home a winner, and I love the way this team is playing right now."

A Lions spokesperson later said Ford was "joking" with his comments.