Matthew Stafford spent the first 12 years of his NFL career in Detroit. And while the Lions only made three playoff appearances in his time there (all losses), Stafford was undeniably a major part of the franchise’s history and has always had great things to say about Detroit.
So, with that in mind, he probably expected a warm welcome in his return to Detroit as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. That wasn’t the case on Sunday.
When Stafford took the field ahead of the NFC wild-card matchup at Ford Field, the Rams quarterback was greeted to loud boos as he emerged from the tunnel.
Warm welcome for Stafford 😏 #SuperWildCard
📺: #LARvsDET — 8pm ET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xZTK9nbane— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024
Of course, it’s a playoff game, and Lions fans aren’t rooting for the opponent’s quarterback. But the boos were surprising – to say the least — even after one fan page proposed banning Stafford jerseys.
They also booed Stafford again as the Rams offense took the field for Los Angeles’ opening drive.
Home crowd lets Stafford hear it 🔊
📺: #LARvsDET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BBjN6W3paO— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024
NFL fans also had thoughts on Stafford’s reception in Detroit.
This was how Twitter reacted
Booing the guy who made your franchise relevant for any period of time is hilarious https://t.co/uf4oJNkq36
— Jason (@_jason_777) January 15, 2024
Imagine booing the QB who spent 12 years in your city, constantly played hurt, always gave it his all, and was an awesome player year in and year out. Unreal. I picked the Rams to win, but hope they smoke them now. #LARvsDET https://t.co/P6JotU33Tv
— Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) January 15, 2024
rams by 1000 https://t.co/fB7ecfy5q1 pic.twitter.com/XMnVyecTBu
— known max fried simp (@reid_fountain18) January 15, 2024
Dude got his ass kicked every year for a decade so the Lions could go 3-13 and 4-12.
There was a game where the Vikings sacked him 10 times and even I felt a little bad for the guy. https://t.co/qTR2OSAGkv
— Minnesota Vikings Football at The Daily Norseman (@DailyNorseman) January 15, 2024
The disrespect… smh https://t.co/K4QqkwwhRr pic.twitter.com/E0D3no3yuh
— Mr.KWass (@KadesKorner) January 15, 2024
You are booing the guy who stuck with your sad pathetic franchise for over a decade? https://t.co/Hc44QuQpSm
— xtina (@xtina1229) January 15, 2024
Stafford getting booed is wild to me. Best QB this team has ever had and they’re booing him. https://t.co/QpYAM7UXaz
— Rob “Stats” Guerrera (@StatsOnFire) January 15, 2024
He doesn’t deserve this. Was a great player for the Lions at a time when they could not get wins https://t.co/GtFuSoSbx8
— MarkSummersNFL (@marksummersnfl) January 15, 2024
#Lions fans booing Matthew Stafford deserve him to put up 50 on them tonight. https://t.co/6FxScruqKT
— Ted (@tlschwerz) January 15, 2024
Lions fans booing Stafford is nonsense. Still love the competitive spirit tho lol https://t.co/L9vD6AAdBN
— Andrew Knight (@Shaggy_Knight) January 15, 2024
No way they’re booing Stafford. Get a grip people. https://t.co/w2WhHHEeLY
— Steven Beck (@beingbecks78) January 15, 2024
Booing Stafford? Lions fans even dumber than originally thought. https://t.co/jnKiKc97O9
— Zeb Ruff (@TheRealZebRuff) January 15, 2024
