Video: Rams’ Matthew Stafford Booed by Lions Fans in Return to Detroit in Playoffs

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Matthew Stafford didn’t receive a warm welcome from Detroit Lions fans ahead of the team’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.

Stafford heard boos from the Detroit crowd as he took the field prior to the game, as the 35-year-old passer spent the first 12 years of his career with the Lions.

Although the team made just three postseason appearances with Stafford under center, the former No. 1 overall pick achieved several impressive individual accomplishments with the Lions prior to his departure.

The former Comeback Player of the Year currently holds franchise records for completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and wins by a starting quarterback.

However, Stafford’s exit from the team was abrupt. He was traded to the Rams in Jan. 2021 for a package that consisted of Jared Goff, a third-round pick, and two first-round picks. Stafford immediately excelled in his new environment, helping Los Angeles earn a Super Bowl victory in his first season with the team.

When asked about the potential reception he would be expecting from his old fanbase, the veteran signal-caller told reporters that he’d be prepared for any reaction.

“I’m not expecting anything, to be honest with you,” Stafford said, per Stu Jackson of the team’s official website. “… I think the biggest thing for me is just go experience whatever that experience is going to be. I understand what the people of Detroit and what the city of Detroit meant to me and my time and my career, what they meant to my family, I hope they feel that back.”

“But at the same time, I’m not a stranger to the situation in understanding that I’m the bad guy coming to town,” he added.

Stafford will be attempting to stop the Lions from earning their first playoff win since the 1991 season.