Sports
Matthew Stafford
born 1988 · American football quarterback
First overall pick of 2009 who quarterbacked the Lions for twelve seasons at Ford Field and holds the franchise's career passing records.
- Born
Tampa, Florida
age 38- Birth name
- John Matthew Stafford
- Detroit years
- 2009–2020
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
The Lions, coming off the NFL's first 0–16 season, made Stafford the first overall pick of the 2009 draft. After injury-hit early years he broke out in 2011, throwing for 5,038 yards, only the fourth 5,000-yard season in league history, and leading Detroit to its first playoff berth since 1999. He took the Lions to the playoffs again in 2014 and 2016 and became famous for fourth-quarter comebacks, often playing through injuries. Over twelve seasons at Ford Field he set nearly every franchise passing record. In January 2021 the rebuilding Lions traded him to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and draft picks, and a year later he won Super Bowl LVI. When he returned to Ford Field with the Rams for a playoff game in January 2024, Detroit fans cheered him warmly before the Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years. He remains beloved in the city.
Highlights
- First overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft
- 5,038 passing yards in 2011
- Led the Lions to the playoffs in 2011, 2014 and 2016
- Lions career leader in passing yards and touchdowns
- Won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams after his 2021 trade
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2009–2020, 2024
Ford Field
The Lions' downtown stadium, his home field for twelve seasons; he returned here with the Rams for the January 2024 playoff game.