After spending the first 12 years of his career with the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford is looking forward to his big comeback and has a message for his former teammates.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback is returning home after his team earned the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, setting up a game against the No. 3 Lions on January 14. Stafford spoke out this week, saying he’s happy to be back in the playoffs and looking forward to facing the team who chose him first overall in 2019.
“The opportunity happens to be in Detroit, which is fun for me on a personal level,” Stafford told ESPN. “I know it will be rocking there. It’s been probably 30 years or so since there was a playoff game there. So it’ll be a fantastic environment. It will be a difficult assignment for us, but we are enthusiastic.”
Stafford maintained a positive relationship with the Lions and their fans following the 2021 deal that brought him to Los Angeles in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and a package of draft picks. He shared a farewell video in which he said “thank you, not goodbye” and reflected on his career and unforgettable memories with the squad.
Stafford told reporters this week that he wants to demonstrate his appreciation to the franchise and its fans.
“It will be fun to see some of the people that I haven’t seen in a while, that I know are still around the building,” remarked Stafford. “Obviously, it will be a different setting, and they will not be wearing their colors. But I still thank so many of the folks that helped me get started in this league and cared for me for 12 years.”
Stafford stated that, despite the remaining goodwill between the two sides, a football game will still be played.
“Really, to be honest with you, a football game is a football game once the ball is snapped,” Stafford told The Athletic. “I’m sure I’ll have to answer a lot of questions beforehand, and so will they. However, after the ball is snapped, it’s time to go play football.
