The Detroit Lions secured their first playoff win in 32 years by defeating the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford, who spent the first 12 years of his career with the Lions, performed well in the Rams’ 24-23 loss, showcasing the toughness admired by Detroit fans.
In his postgame press conference, when asked about his feelings towards the city of Detroit, Stafford expressed happiness for the players, avoiding any mention of the fans. The reporter seemed to give him an opportunity to acknowledge the fans, but Stafford intentionally focused solely on the players.
“I’m happy for the players,” Stafford said. “I’m happy for those guys.”
This choice might be related to the reception he received from fans at Ford Field before kickoff, possibly influencing his response.
During his tenure as the Lions’ main starter from 2009 to 2020, Stafford experienced a breakthrough in 2011. In that remarkable year, he achieved the distinction of being only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to surpass 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
Additionally, Stafford played a pivotal role in guiding Detroit to their first playoff appearance since 1999.
