Matthew Stafford is ready for Detroit Lions supporters to make some more noise.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback, who previously spent 12 seasons with the Lions, was booed when he returned to Ford Field in January for an NFC wild-card game.
The booing transformed into applause when the Lions triumphed by a single point, ending their 32-year postseason drought and returning a former fan favorite to his new team.
Stafford’s wife, Kelly, and their three girls will not attend the rematch to avoid hearing the booing, but Stafford says the boos inspire him. “I want to hear all of it,” he remarked
Stafford may hear a lot of noise on Sunday night when the Rams play in Detroit, as Lions supporters are enthusiastic about the prospect of finally having a Super Bowl-contending team to root for.
The Lions, who won the NFC North last year, are coming off their first postseason with two wins since their NFL crown in 1957. They worked in the winter to improve their club on both sides of the football.
“Our expectations were the same last year as they are now,” said Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, who signed with the Lions in 2021 with first-round picks for Stafford. “Obviously externally, we’ve got a lot more attention”
