DETROIT – Matthew Stafford said there are games he will never forget.
The quarterback is leaving Detroit after 12 years with the Lions. There are moments he wishes he could change, and one in particular came to mind when asked during a goodbye visit to Ford Field.
“Oh there’s plenty of those. I mean, the one that comes to mind when you say that right off the bat would be, you know, when the Packers hit that Hail Mary on Thursday night after we won on Thanksgiving,” he said.
When we’ve watched him fall and get right back up, just like Detroit the city he adopted, we learned Matthew is tough. He is resilient. We may not have always liked the outcome, but man did we appreciate the fight.
There were good times, too, that he’ll never forget.
“I still remember, we played the Chargers in 2011, and made the playoffs, clinched the playoffs here at home for the first time in a bunch of years and I will never forget the crowd,” he recalled.
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FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes the ball during the second quarter of the team's NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. The Lions are trading Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, two future first-round picks and a third-round pick, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday night, Jan. 30, because the deal has not been completed. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen, File)
Detroit Lions reportedly trade Matthew Stafford to Rams for 3 draft picks, QB Jared Goff
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to past against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. A person with direct knowledge of the situation says the Lions and Stafford have mutually agreed to explore the possibilities of trading him. The person spoke Saturday night, Jan 23, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team and Stafford did not announce the decision. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Kelly Stafford and Matthew Stafford in an Instagram post on Jan. 25, 2021.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Matt and Kelly Stafford expecting fourth child in the summer
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 25: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions scrambles with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford throws an interception to Green Bay Packers' Chandon Sullivan (39) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Sources confirm Lions have had Matthew Stafford trade talks
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions speaks with head coach Matt Patricia before the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Detroit Lions quarterback's Jeff Driskel (2) and Matthew Stafford watch during warmups before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 27: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown pass with teammate Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in the third quarter against the New York Giants at Ford Field on October 27, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a late fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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Kelly Stafford's emotional road to recovery
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Jake Martin #59 of the Seattle Seahawks is called for a penalty of roughing the pass against Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on October 28, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in action during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench during the final minutes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on October 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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Joseph Fauria of the Detroit Lions scores on a one-yard pass from Matthew Stafford during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sept. 8, 2013, in Detroit. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks on during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands with Detroit Lions #1 draft pick Matthew Stafford at Radio City Music Hall for the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25, 2009 in New York City (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 27: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball in the second quarter while playing the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Ford Field. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
22. QB Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions - $17,666,667
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes the ball during the second quarter of the team's NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. The Lions are trading Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, two future first-round picks and a third-round pick, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday night, Jan. 30, because the deal has not been completed. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen, File)
Leaving for LA
Stafford’s new city is Los Angeles, and his new team is the Rams. He is still surprised at how the trade worked out.
“It was honestly, you know, one of the two teams I didn’t think was going to be able to make it happen, if they wanted to even.” he said. “The fact that they wanted to was huge, and the fact that they were able to, I think you have to give a lot of credit to the Rams organization but also the Lions as well in being creative and figuring out a way to get it done.”
Professionally, Detroit is all Stafford has known. “The D” has become home, but it’s the people and the fans who both cheered and, yes, sometimes booed, who will always hold a special place in his heart.
“Everywhere we go in the community, you know it’s a people giving us well-wishes and that means the world to us,” he said.
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Kelly Stafford and Matthew Stafford in an Instagram post on Jan. 25, 2021.
Matt and Kelly Stafford expecting fourth child in the summer
Kelly Stafford's emotional road to recovery
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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (L) and Kelly Hall attend the Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards held at The Barker Hanger on February 21, 2011 in Santa Monica, California. 20949_007_CP_0382.JPG (Photo by Christopher Polk/WireImage)
SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 18: NFL player Matthew Stafford (R) and Kelly Hall attend the 2nd Annual Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards at Barker Hangar on February 18, 2012 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 11: Matthew Stafford and Kelly Stafford arrive to Golden Tate's 3rd Annual Stars and Strikes Bowling Event on September 11, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: Matthew Stafford and girlfriend Kelly Hall arrive at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by C Flanigan/WireImage)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 13: Kelly Stafford, wife of Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions, appears next to Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders in cutouts in the stands for the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 13, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Kelly Stafford and Matthew Stafford in an Instagram post on Jan. 25, 2021.
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Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.
