Matthew Stafford is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams.
He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL draft.
Stafford is known for his impressive career milestones, including being the fastest player to reach 40,000 career passing yards.
He led the Rams to a Super Bowl LVI victory in 2021 after being traded from the Lions.
Stafford stands at 6-3 and weighs 214 lbs, with 16 years of NFL experience. His playoff record is 4-4, with notable performances in his Super Bowl-winning season.
Parents
Matthew’s parents are John Stafford and Margaret Stafford. His father, John, was a swimmer who competed for Florida State University and later became a coach.
He recently won a US Master’s national title in swimming.
Margaret Stafford maintains a low public profile but is known to support Matthew by attending his games.
Matthew has a younger sister named Page Stafford. The family moved from Tampa, Florida, to Dallas, Texas, during Matthew’s high school years.
Career
During his college years at the University of Georgia, Stafford started as a true freshman and quickly showcased his talent and potential.
He threw for 1,749 yards with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in his first year.
As a sophomore, he improved significantly, passing for 2,523 yards and 19 touchdowns, helping lead the Bulldogs to an impressive 11-2 record and a victory in the Sugar Bowl.
In his junior year, Stafford declared for the NFL Draft after another strong season, finishing with 2,523 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.
Stafford’s professional career began when he was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft.
He made an immediate impact, throwing for 2,267 yards with 13 touchdowns in just 10 games during his rookie season.
However, he suffered a shoulder injury that limited his playing time.
In 2011, Stafford had a breakout year, throwing for over 5,000 yards (5,038) and 41 touchdowns.
He became the fourth player in NFL history to pass for over 5,000 yards in a single season.
Stafford led the Lions to three playoff appearances during his tenure but faced challenges in advancing past the first round.
During his time with the Lions, Stafford became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 40,000 career passing yards.
He holds numerous Lions franchise records, including career touchdown passes and passing yards.
In January 2021, Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and multiple draft picks.
This marked a new chapter in his career.
In his first season with the Rams, Stafford led the team to an NFC Championship victory and subsequently won Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He threw for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns in the game.
Stafford’s career statistics are impressive, with over 60,000 passing yards and over 400 touchdown passes.
He has consistently maintained a high completion percentage and quarterback rating.
Stafford is known for his strong arm, which allows him to make deep throws and fit passes into tight windows.
He also excels at reading defenses and making quick decisions under pressure.
Despite early injuries in his career, he has shown resilience and has played through various challenges.
