NFL
Matthew Stafford Snubs Lions Fans With Targeted Postgame Quip After Getting Booed In Return To Detroit
Published15 Jan 2024
Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions spent 12 years together. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft played for a poorly-run organization that simply could not get out of its own way and never complained.
He stood tall in the pocket, endured countless bone-rattling hits, and battled through multiple injuries. He broke more than 40 franchise records and won at least 10 games in two different NFL seasons. There is simply no way to describe how much he gave to a truly awful team, over and over again.
And yet, upon return to the Motor City for the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs on Sunday night, Stafford was met by loud boos from Lions fans. They neglected to offer him any semblance of a kind welcome back.
Even if it was in part because fans didn’t know what to do, Detroit made it abundantly clear that the city has moved on from Stafford after he was traded to Los Angeles and won a Super Bowl. Jared Goff is the guy now!
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) January 15, 2024
The 29-year-old ultimately led the Lions to their first playoff win since 1991. The 35-year-old and the Rams were sent into the offseason with a loss.
Stafford spoke to the media after the game and offered a poignant comment about his emotions. He said that he is happy for the Lions players who have struggled to find success for so long. In doing so, he made it abundantly clear that he is not happy for the fanbase that booed him during pregame.
The comments, while extremely salty and petty in nature, are completely fair. Stafford does not owe the fanbase anything. Especially after the unkind greeting ahead of Sunday’s game.
Now, on the flip side, Detroit does not owe Matthew Stafford anything either. Their boos were a little bit surprising, but that’s just how things go!
