As Lions fans, we’ve been through the ringer. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is no exception, either.
Since his arrival, the team has encountered plenty of adversity. Who could forget when he got leveled while throwing a pass in the 2009 season against the Cleveland Browns? He hurt his shoulder in the process, but proceeded to return to the field and throw the game-winning tying touchdown (Jason Hanson kicked an extra point to win it) win no time left on the clock.
While that moment may have been his most endearing, he’s been through plenty more adversity during his time with Detroit: Calvin Johnson‘s fumble at the goal line that was tapped out of the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks. Also, Calvin not “completing the process of a catch” in Chicago. The pass interference flag/no flag situation in the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys. And then some.
This video flashes back to all of these situations.
Since Detroit selected Stafford with the first overall pick of the 2009 draft, Stafford has thrown for 32,000+ yards and 200+ touchdowns. He also has a 5,000 yard season to his credit and has thrown for no less than 4,257 yards in each of the past six seasons. He has appeared in every game in each of the last six seasons.
While he has certainly endeared himself to the city of Detroit and Lions fans everywhere, the team is sailing into uncharted waters with Mr. Stafford in the upcoming season. With his current contract coming to an end after this year, there is one thing that most every Lions fan in the world can agree on: we don’t want to see Stafford play for another NFL team for the rest of his career. The moments in this video (plus surely some that weren’t in the video) show that he is undoubtedly the current face of the franchise.
