There are often no positive emotions during the play-offs. Especially when fans are hoping for their first postseason win in 32 years.
So when the Detroit Lions hosted the Los Angeles Rams for an NFC wild-card showdown on Sunday night, Matthew Stafford was unlikely to receive a hero’s welcome. The former Lions quarterback, who stepped into Ford Field for the first time since being traded to the Rams in 2021, received a nervous reception.
He wasn’t bothered by his receptions, throwing for 367 yards and two touchdowns. But his comeback was ultimately derailed when everyone in Detroit immediately woke up to a decades-old nightmare after a 24-23 win over Los Angeles. With the first part of his postseason duties happily completed, Stafford took time to reflect on the warm welcome he received in the place he called home for 12 years.
The current Lions star was nervous.”Stafford has done a lot for the fans here and even for the organization,” All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. said. Paul, according to Colton Pouncey of The Athletic. Brown said. “But I mean times are different now.”Matthew Stafford will always hold a special place in Lions history.
Times have truly changed. St. Brown, who had seven receptions for 110 yards and a drought-ending 11-yard reception, joined the team shortly after the end of the Matthew Stafford era. He’s been such a big part of the Jared Goff era that it’s hard to get sentimental about him. But those involved in the discovery understand the difficulties of the case. Favorite, no. 9, was a major obstacle to Detroit’s long-awaited celebration.
Stafford’s job tonight was to make sure fans’ dreams don’t come true next year, a task he knows as well as any modern Lions player. So the Super Bowl 56 champions smelled it. His kindness is sure to be appreciated by Detroit fans. All praise and devotion to him has been and will continue to be for many years to come. But not last Sunday.
