Lions fans boo Matthew Stafford in QB's highly anticipated return to Detroit
So much for a warm welcome back.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was booed by Detroit fans during a 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions in his return to the Motor City.
Stafford was booed as he emerged from the tunnel before the team kicked off its NFC wild-card playoff game against the Lions.
The boo birds continued as Stafford took the field for the Rams’ opening series. They persisted as the Los Angeles offense gathered together in a hurdle before the unit's first play of the game.
Stafford eventually led the Rams on an 11-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a field goal with 4:26 left on the clock in the first quarter.
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The Lions selected Stafford No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL draft. The Georgia product spent the first 12 years of his career with the Lions before he was traded to the Rams in a 2021 deal that sent Lions starter Jared Goff to Detroit.
Stafford is the Lions’ all-time franchise leader in many QB statistical categories, including passing yards and touchdowns. But Stafford never won a playoff game as a member of the organization.
Sunday night’s Rams vs. Lions wild-card matchup was Detroit’s first home playoff game in 30 years. Prior to Sunday night, the Lions hadn't earned a playoff victory since Jan. 5, 1992, which marked the longest active postseason win drought for any franchise.
The Rams QB admitted earlier in the week that he wasn’t expecting much of a reception in his return to Detroit.
“I'm the bad guy coming to town. I'm on the other team,” Stafford said. “They don't want success for me.”
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