QB Matthew Stafford of the Rams said of going back to Detroit for the wild card game, “It’ll be an awful place to play.”
Detroit picked Stafford first overall in the 2009 draft. Stafford played quarterback for the Lions for 12 years before the Rams acquired him in 2021.
Stafford played in three playoff games on the road for the Lions and lost all of them. However, the same year he moved, he led the Rams to a title.
“To be honest, I’m not expecting anything,” Stafford said. “My family and friends asked me this question a few times.” I believe the most important thing to me is to go have whatever experience that is.
I know how important the people and place of Detroit were to my time, work, and family. I hope they’re feeling the same way.
On the other hand, I’m used to being in this position and know that I’m the bad guy who comes to town. They don’t want me to do well because I’m on the other team.
Stafford is married to Kelly, and they have four little girls. They were all born in Detroit while Stafford played for the Lions. The place is beautiful. “What a great group of fans,” Stafford said.
The group really does a great job. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. The crowd will be great, possibly among the best ones we’ve seen in a long time.
Based on what I’ve seen, they are a group of people who love lions. Did what they thought was best. And since they’re playing great football right now, they might be able to host a game in the playoffs. They’ve worked hard for that chance.
The people who are going will have a great time. It will be hard to play there. It’s going to be loud. We understand that it will be hard for us to talk about an attack.
When he got to Detroit, Matthew Stafford was a hotshot quarterback who was 21 years old. After three years, he left. He was an adult with a wife or four girls, all of whom were born in Michigan.
During the 12 years that followed, he worked hard to help the Lions win their first playoff game in decades. Even though the Lions lost, he made a connection with Detroit that is still a big part of who he is.
Stafford became an adult in Detroit, even though he grew up in Texas and now lives happily in southern California.
“It’s a great city,” Stafford declared on a January Wednesday when it was 60 degrees outside. “What a great group of fans! I know the group will be thrilled because they do such a great job.
Things are going to get really exciting. It was likely to be one of the most enjoyable games we’ve had in a while.
So far as I know, these people love the lions and want what’s best for them. They’re playing good football now.”
Stafford will finally play in his first playoff game in Detroit on Sunday night. His first season with the Rams after leaving the Lions was marked by a Super Bowl win. He will do it while wearing the pointed helmet of that team.
Stafford could play a big part in making the Lions’ playoff pain last longer when Detroit hosts the playoffs for the first time in 30 years.
It’s okay with Stafford if Detroit doesn’t feel the exact same thing this weekend. He still cares about the city.
“I know that I’m the bad guy going to town because I’ve been in this situation before,” Stafford said. “I’m on another team, and they don’t want me to do well.” So everything that happens does happen. I’m going to go try it out.”
During his time with the Lions, Stafford played in three road playoff losses. He still remembers how frustrated he was that the Lions couldn’t end their decades of failure.