DETROIT – This was the most predictable thing ever.
We first started to consider the possibility of a Lions-Rams playoff game back in Week 4, when it became clear that Matthew Stafford’s team was quite a bit better than expected.
A few weeks ago, the Rams looked like the most likely opponent when the Lions clinched a home playoff game. Sure enough, once the dust settled on Week 18, the Lions were No. 3 and the Rams were No. 6.
So here we are. Stafford is returning to Detroit to try to win his first playoff game at Ford Field.
But that wasn’t the predictable part.
Once we knew that this matchup was on, it was only a matter of time before Lions fans and Kelly Stafford got on each other’s nerves. Sports fans in Detroit are passionate about their team, and Kelly Stafford is a vocal supporter of her husband.
RELATED: Detroit bar bans Matthew Stafford jerseys on Lions playoff gameday
I understand why this is such an emotionally charged topic, but I’ve got to side with the people of Detroit on this one.
Well, most of the people (I think).
The dispute
The issue at hand is whether or not Lions fans should wear Matthew Stafford jerseys to the playoff game on Sunday night.
A social media account that supports the Lions posted an Instagram photo this week with the following caption: “Please don’t wear a Lions-Stafford jersey to the game. This is not a time to be cute or funny. This is about business and putting the final nail in the SOL coffin. ... It ain’t personal. Just business!”
Here’s what Kelly Stafford said in the comments section: “Well this is sad because it’s the complete opposite of how we feel about this city, but Matthew has always been the bigger person and will continue to be that. Praying for an incredible game with zero injuries.”
‘The bigger person’
We all see the dig she took there, right? “Matthew has always been the bigger person.” Intentional or not, that’s a shot.
Sure, a segment of the fan base wasn’t fair to Stafford during his 12 years with the Lions. He was an incredibly polarizing player, and the starting quarterback of a city’s NFL franchise is certain to receive some blame he doesn’t deserve.
I’m sure there were times when Stafford made mistakes in games and his family received some not-so-kind feedback. Sports fans aren’t known for being reasonable.
But to say that Stafford has “always been the bigger person” suggests Lions fans have treated him unfairly, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Many Lions fans essentially became Rams fans the year after the Stafford trade because they wanted him to win a Super Bowl. I didn’t really understand the level of their devotion, but people actually wore “Detroit Rams” shirts and rooted for the player they traded away to win more games with his new team than he did in Detroit.
The Staffords expressed their appreciation for that support. His success was objectively hurting the value of the draft pick Detroit received in the trade, but still they stood behind him.
Lions fans shouldn’t wear Stafford jerseys to this game
Let’s get to the main reason I disagree with Kelly Stafford: It’s pretty obvious Lions fans shouldn’t wear their Stafford jerseys on Sunday.
Honestly, I don’t understand how this is even a controversial take. It should be self-explanatory. This is one of the biggest games in the history of the Lions franchise, and the team’s supporters shouldn’t root against their opponent?
On Sunday night, the Lions will win or Matthew Stafford will win. You cannot have both. So if you’re a Lions fan and you’re rooting for the Lions, you want Matthew Stafford to lose. Say it: “I want Matthew Stafford to lose.” Because that’s the truth. You hope his season ends this weekend.
So maybe wear a different Lions shirt for a week. If you paid up for tickets to this game, I’m guessing you have more than one piece of Lions memorabilia.
When you visit Ford Field to this day, you see hundreds of Matthew Stafford jerseys. That’s fine. I don’t have a problem with it. But your allegiance shouldn’t be divided this weekend. Stafford currently stands between this city and something it has wanted since the Super Bowl era began.
It’s not personal
The reason a Matthew Stafford jersey ban is not “sad” is because it has absolutely nothing to do with Matthew Stafford.
Lions fans should also not wear Cooper Kupp jerseys on Sunday. Or Puka Nacua jerseys. If the Lions play the Eagles, they should not wear their Darius Slay jerseys.
You can still love Darius Slay, but on the day the Lions play the Eagles, you want him to leave the stadium very sad because his team lost.
This is sports. It’s not real life. Lions fans who ditch their Matthew Stafford jerseys are not rooting for serious misfortune to befall him outside the realm of football.
You’re talking about people who supported Matthew Stafford enough to buy his jersey in the first place. Why did they buy his jersey? Because he played for the Lions. If Matthew Stafford worked at Kinkos, nobody would wear his name on their backs.
So why should Lions fans forsake the team that made them Matthew Stafford supporters in the first place?
I’m in
I wasn’t among the Michiganders rooting for the Rams to win a Super Bowl, so it’s no surprise that I’ll gladly support the Matthew Stafford Jersey Ban of 2024.
I know there will be fans who do it anyway. Maybe they’re trying to prove a point. Maybe they’ve tricked themselves into thinking they can root for Stafford and the Lions. Maybe they just hope both teams have fun.
But the stakes are incredibly high, and Lions fans have waited a long, long time for this. There should be no doubt which side they’re supporting.
It’s not Matthew Stafford. And there’s nothing sad about that.
