Matthew Stafford Did Not Expect Lions’ Fans Loyalty

Kelly Stafford discusses emotions ahead of return to Detroit.

Sunday's game will be a bittersweet day for both the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. 

In particular, it will be the first time that Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will play at Ford Field since being traded by the Lions prior to the 2021 season. 

The veteran quarterback played the first 12 seasons of his career with the Lions. In addition to all his growth as a player, Detroit was also his home when he got married and began raising a family of four daughters. 

Because of this, the homecoming in Detroit will be an emotional one for not just Matthew, but also for his wife, Kelly.

On the latest edition of her "The Morning After" podcast, Kelly Stafford shared her and her husband's excitement for the return to Ford Field.

Given the added intrigue of the meeting being a playoff game, she explained the difficulty of balancing the emotion of the homecoming, along with the excitement of the win-or-go-home scenario. 

"If you really think about it, it’s kind of crazy," Kelly Stafford said. "I’m telling myself to enjoy it, because what was the likelihood that this scenario was gonna happen, that our first game back in Detroit would be a playoff game. You win or you’re out. This is a once-in-a lifetime feeling, so enjoy it. And, you know, his first text to me after this game, ‘Let’s f*****g go.’ That’s what he texted me. Like, he’s excited, he’s ready to go back."

Stafford also discussed the plethora of emotions that will accompany her upon returning to Ford Field.

“I think walking in there, the support that that city gave us on some of the hardest times of our lives will be my immediate feel," Kelly Stafford said. "I won’t ever forget walking into that stadium for the first time with my two little daughters in my hands and coming in that tunnel, which will probably be the same tunnel that I walk out with four of my daughters.

"But, I think there’s gonna be an overwhelming feeling of just gratitude, and it’s gonna suck because I’m not there to support that team that day. And, that’s not gonna be easy, because again, I don’t know a city that rallies behind people like Detroit does. I don’t know if there is one, and it’s a hard place to not put all your heart into. And so, that’s gonna be really hard. It’s gonna be hard."

Matthew Stafford left prior to the beginning of the Lions' rebuild, with the Lions winning their first division title since 1993 just three years later. 

While the Lions sputtered the season after trading Matthew Stafford, the veteran quarterback led the Rams to the Super Bowl title in his first season with his new team. During that Super Bowl run, many Lions fans supported the Rams. 

Eventually, that segment of the fanbase was aptly nicknamed the "Detroit Rams." That support was felt by the Stafford family, which will make the return even more bittersweet.

“But, speaking on that, they were loyal to Matthew when he went on that Super Bowl run. And, you could tell. And, it was, honestly, I know, one of the best feelings for him. Because did he want to leave Detroit? No," Kelly Stafford explained. "But, he knew that he had to, to basically do what he wanted to do and also to give Detroit that chance. So, he did that for himself. And, I will say, that worked out, but he didn’t expect the loyalty that he got. I don’t think he thought he deserved it, and they gave it anyway. And now, they are loyal to their team. But, that is, again, something that is so rare. Not only as a person but in the sports world, it’s rare to have that type of loyalty. So, it is a truly special place, and I hate that we’re gonna have to go in there. But, that’s just the way it is."