The Matthew Stafford era in Detroit is officially over. With the start of the new league year Wednesday in the NFL, No. 9 now belongs to the Rams.
But he'll always belong to Detroit.
"This city will always be a part of me," Stafford said in a nine-minute farewell video released Wednesday night by the Lions. "Now, as I navigate this next step in my football journey, it's time to say, Thank you, Detroit."
The first overall pick in the 2009 draft, Stafford played 12 years for the Lions and holds just about every franchise passing record. He's the fastest QB in NFL history to throw for 20,000 yards, for 30,000 yards and for 40,000 yards.
"To Lions fans hearing this, there is no me without you," Stafford said. "You've been with me through all the touchdowns, the good times, and through some of my lowest points when it was difficult to get back up. I want you to know how much I care — how much I'll always care."
"Thank you, not goodbye" pic.twitter.com/A2ybR2Fn37
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 18, 2021
Stafford also thanked the fans for supporting his family when his wife Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2019.
"I'm not someone who seeks the spotlight, you guys now that. I like to blend in. But the minute our family experienced the unthinkable, you made sure we weren't alone. For that, I will be forever grateful," Stafford said. "It's why this has been an honor for me to be the quarterback of this city."
Stafford is off to the Rams in pursuit of playoff success, which eluded him in Detroit. But he'll forever be grateful to the city that "welcomed me with open arms."
"That's why I'm saying, Thank you, not goodbye," Stafford said. "I'll aways have a connection to this place, a connection beyond all the records, the milestones, the stats. To me, creating a legacy is much bigger than that. It's about making an impact on the lives of others, being your strongest self through times of adversity, and always letting people know that no matter what happens, you stand for something real. Thats me, that's this city."
