2024-01-11 02:22:02
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford arrived in Detroit as a talented 21-year-old quarterback. He left there three years ago, a married man with four daughters, all born in the state of Michigan.
During the 12 years between arrival and departure, Stafford desperately tried to end the Lions’ decades-long playoff drought. The Lions failed, but the quarterback forged a bond with Detroit that remains a fundamental part of his character.
Although Strafford grew up in Texas and says he is now comfortable living in Southern California, he came of age in the capital of the auto industry.
“It’s an amazing city,” Staford said Wednesday, under a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) in the mild California winter. “The group of fans is incredible. The organization does a tremendous job, and I know they are all going to be excited. There’s going to be a great atmosphere. It might be one of the best we’ve played in a long time. This is a group of people who, in my experience, love the Lions and want the best for them. And now, they are playing well.”
On Sunday night, Stafford will finally play in his first postseason game in Detroit. But he will do so wearing the helmet of the Los Angeles Rams, the team he led to a Super Bowl championship in his first season following leaving the Lions.
Stafford might now prolong the Lions’ postseason woes. Detroit will host a playoff game for the first time in 30 years.
While Stafford still loves Detroit, he’ll understand if the city isn’t showing him as much love this weekend.
“I’m no stranger to this situation, and I understand that I’m the bad guy coming back to town,” Stafford said. “I’m on the other team, and they won’t want me to succeed. So whatever happens, it will be an experience for me.”
Stafford played in three road playoff losses during his time with the Lions. And he hasn’t forgotten his frustration at not ending Detroit’s long streak of disappointments.
“I had a lot of experiences there over 12 years,” Stafford said. “All my daughters were born there. My wife and I went through a lot in the city. Everyone supported us. So I have nothing but great memories from there. Obviously, we didn’t achieve as much on the ground as I would have liked, but the people I was lucky enough to meet and grow up with are people who are still close to me, and who mean a lot to me.”
Stafford asked to be traded in early 2021 following the Lions embarked on another rebuild following three straight losing seasons.
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