Parting is such sweet sorrow, yet the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford appear headed in this direction.
Even though Stafford, Detroit’s top draft pick nearly 13 years ago, owns almost all the franchise’s passing records, he has requested, and the team agreed to work out a trade. Stafford turns 33 next month and is often the target of irate Lions fans.
As good as Stafford is there are some glaring weaknesses. First, he has yet to guide the Lions to a winning post-season game. He was at helm of three wild-card losses in 2011, 2014, 2016). In fact, the club has one just one playoff game (in 1991 versus Dallas) since winning the NFL Championship in 1957.
Second, Stafford never guided the Lions to a division title. He is o-for-12 in that department. Lastly, Stafford has only once been named as a Pro Bowl although he was as an alternate once and ended up playing and winning the game’s offensive MVP.
Stafford was the face of the Lions. He was a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, often seen in commercials with BCBSM CEO Daniel Loepp. He took his role to heart – working with youngsters to have them eat better and get in shape.
Stafford was involved in other community projects such as helping Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press and WJR Radio with the SAY Detroit program (whose 9th annual radiothon recently netted a record-breaking $1.5 million). Stafford also has a community football field named after himself.
The social media world has followed Stafford’s wife Kelly and their family these many years in the Motor City. As she struggled through severe health issues, fans gave their support through get-well wishes and prayers. Their four beautiful daughters (including twins) were admired also. Kelly recently took to Instagram again to thank the fans.
“Thank you. This place, our home, the people… it is hard to find the words to explain what this place means to me… This place supported me during the toughest time of my life and during the happiest times and I want to thank y’all in the right way.”
“Whenever I figure out what the future holds, you’ll be hearing from me again with a thank you that hopefully shows how much gratitude and love I have for this place,” she said. “But until then we are going to enjoy our time left in Michigan to the fullest because there really is no other place like it.”
Despite all the good the Staffords have done for the city and southeast Michigan, the club never surrounded him with enough talent on the offensive or defensive side, to take the team to the Promised Land. Stafford’s legacy will still be a positive one as not since magical Bobby Layne of the 1950’s has Detroit had a quarterback with such talent.
One can only wish the Lions’ new brain trust of general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell the best in finding equal compensation for the best signal-caller in club history. And you hope that Stafford finds a team that he can excel with and carry into the playoffs in 2021 and beyond.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @DSBA2 on Twitter.
