The Los Angeles Rams quarterback remains permanently linked to the city where his NFL journey began.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Time doesn’t erase everything, but it softens enough edges that another meeting between Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions no longer carries the tension it once did. Even so, Stafford hasn’t stopped supporting the community that shaped the earliest chapters of his career—especially during a time of year when many need it most.

Stafford’s Lasting Ties to Detroit

Detroit will always hold a unique place in Stafford’s life. The city is where he entered adulthood, started a family, and became one of its most recognizable figures. Those roots have led him to stay involved in charitable and community efforts long after relocating to Los Angeles.

“ Yeah, I think I’m getting on a call with Mitch Albom tomorrow for his radiothon,” Stafford said when asked about continuing his philanthropic work in Detroit. “I’ve done it every year for a long time, so I’ll hop on and try to help raise some money for the city. We still try to stay connected. We have friends there, people who reach out. Whether it’s things we used to do around Christmas or through the Safe Play Center, we still hear from folks.”

Old Emotions Have Faded

While Detroit fans will always associate Stafford with one of the most iconic eras of Lions football, his own relationship with the team has naturally evolved. Since his trade, the Lions have almost entirely reshaped their roster, leaving very few familiar faces from his time there. Five seasons removed from wearing Honolulu blue, Stafford doesn’t carry the emotional weight that once came with these matchups.

Especially with this meeting taking place in Los Angeles, Stafford sees it as another competitive test—nothing more, nothing less.

“I definitely feel that way,” he explained. “I have a ton of respect for them. But when I turn on the film, I’m not thinking about the guys I used to play with—because most of them aren’t there anymore. What stands out is how they play. They pop off the tape.

“They’re fast, physical, extremely well-coached. They’ve got playmakers on both sides of the ball and they’re solid on special teams. They’ve been a strong, complete team for a couple of years now. It’s another tough challenge for us.”