History of Matthew Stafford in Timeline
"John Matthew Stafford is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. Drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009, he played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs where he was a first-team All-American. Stafford ranks highly in all-time passing statistics, including being fifth in passing yards per game and the fastest player to reach 40,000 passing yards."
1950: Stafford Leads Lions to Historic Comeback Victories
In the year 1950 and beyond, Matthew Stafford showcased his exceptional ability to lead the Detroit Lions to impressive comeback victories. Notably, he became the first quarterback since at least 1950 to secure back-to-back wins after trailing by 20 or more points.
1953: Fourth Player from Georgia to be Drafted First Overall
Matthew Stafford became the fourth player out of Georgia to be the first overall selection in the NFL draft and the first since Harry Babcock in 1953.
1956: Lions Achieve First 5-0 Start Since 1956
In 1956, the Detroit Lions had a remarkable start to their season, going undefeated in their first five games. This marked the first time they achieved this feat since 1956, the year before they won their last NFL Championship.
1982: Defeating Rivals
The Georgia Bulldogs, with Matthew Stafford as quarterback, defeated their rivals Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech in the same season for the first time since 1982.
February 7, 1988: Birth
Matthew Stafford was born on February 7, 1988.
1991: First Out of High School to Start
Matthew Stafford was the first player out of high school to start as quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs since Eric Zeier in 1991.
1998: Starting Quarterback at Georgia
Matthew Stafford became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Georgia Bulldogs football team since Quincy Carter in 1998.
1999: Leading the Lions to the Playoffs
Matthew Stafford led the Detroit Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999 in 2011.
1999: Lions Secure First Playoff Berth Since 1999
The 2011 season marked a significant milestone for the Detroit Lions as they ended a playoff drought dating back to 1999. Led by Matthew Stafford, they secured a playoff berth with a 10-6 record, signifying their return to postseason contention.
2002: Best Record Since 2002
The Georgia Bulldogs achieved their best record since the 2002 season, finishing 11-2 and ranked #2 in the Final AP Poll.
2005: High School Championship and Accolades
Matthew Stafford led his high school team to a perfect 15-0 record and won the UIL 4A Division I State Championship in 2005. He also received numerous accolades, including being named to the Parade All-America Team and the USA Today Pre-Season Super 25.
September 2006: Mel Kiper Jr.'s Analysis
Football analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. commented on Matthew Stafford's potential on ESPN Radio in September 2006.
2006: College Football Debut
Matthew Stafford made his college football debut in 2006 and had his first start against University of Alabama Birmingham, which Georgia won 34-0.
2006: High School Career
Matthew Stafford was considered one of the best high school quarterbacks in the United States in the Class of 2006.
2006: Top Prospect
Matthew Stafford was listed as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback prospect in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com.
2007: Longest Active Winning Streak
The Georgia Bulldogs entered the 2008 season with the longest active winning streak among the 66 BCS conference teams, having won their last seven games of the 2007 season.
April 2008: Predicted as First Overall Pick
In April 2008, several NFL analysts predicted Matthew Stafford would be the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft if he chose to leave school early.
2008: Sugar Bowl Victory
Matthew Stafford helped lead the Georgia Bulldogs to a 41-10 victory over the #10 Hawaii Warriors in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.
2008: Preseason Heisman Watchlist
Matthew Stafford was chosen for Athlon Sports' preseason Heisman Favorites Others To Watch list in 2008.
April 24, 2009: First Overall Pick
Matthew Stafford agreed to contract terms with the Detroit Lions on April 24, 2009, to become the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft.
September 6, 2009: Stafford Named Starting Quarterback
On September 6, 2009, Matthew Stafford was named the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions, making him the first Lions rookie quarterback to start in Week 1 since 1968. In his debut against the New Orleans Saints, he threw for 205 yards, three interceptions, and one touchdown in a loss.
November 22, 2009: Stafford Throws Five Touchdowns in Comeback Win
On November 22, 2009, Matthew Stafford became the youngest quarterback to throw five touchdowns in a game, achieving this feat in a 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns. Despite suffering a separated shoulder, he returned to the field to throw the game-winning touchdown pass as time expired, earning him high praise and the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.
2009: Stafford Joins Lions Teammate Dominic Raiola
From 2009, Stafford played for the Lions alongside Dominic Raiola, building a strong team connection.
2009: Stafford's Time with the Lions
Matthew Stafford began his time as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions in 2009.
2009: Entering the NFL Draft
Matthew Stafford chose to forgo his senior season and entered the 2009 NFL Draft.
2009: Stafford Earns NFC Offensive Player of the Week
Matthew Stafford received the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for the first time since 2009 after a stellar performance against the Chicago Bears.
2009: Drafted by the Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009.
July 30, 2010: Record-Breaking Contract
Matthew Stafford's contract with the Detroit Lions, signed on April 24, 2009, contained $41.7 million in guaranteed money, the most guaranteed to any player in NFL history until July 30, 2010.
2010: Stafford Suffers Season-Ending Shoulder Injury
Matthew Stafford's 2010 season was cut short due to a right shoulder injury sustained in Week 1. Despite returning in Week 8 and leading the Lions to a victory, he reinjured his shoulder the following week and underwent season-ending surgery.
2011: Lions End Playoff Drought
The Detroit Lions ended a long playoff drought in 2011, marking their first postseason appearance since the turn of the millennium. The team's resurgence brought renewed hope to the franchise and its fans.
2011: Stafford Sets NFL Record for Pass Attempts
Matthew Stafford's 2012 season, while statistically impressive, saw him set an NFL record for pass attempts with 727. However, the high volume of throws did not translate to team success, as the Lions finished with a disappointing record.
2011: Breakout Year
Matthew Stafford had a breakout year in 2011, becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a single season.
2011: Stafford Earns Accolades for Comeback Season
Following a remarkable 2011 season, Matthew Stafford was recognized for his exceptional performance and resilience. He was named the Pro Football Weekly Comeback Player of the Year and the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
2011: Stafford Experiences Setbacks in 2012 Season
After a career-best season in 2011, Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions faced a challenging 2012 season. Despite starting with a win, they endured a three-game losing streak and ultimately finished the season with a disappointing 4-12 record.
January 1, 2012: Stafford Surpasses 5,000 Passing Yards
On January 1, 2012, Matthew Stafford etched his name into NFL record books by becoming the fourth quarterback in history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season. He achieved this milestone during a Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers, where he threw for a career-high 520 yards.
July 7, 2013: Stafford Signs Contract Extension
On July 7, 2013, Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $53 million, securing his future with the team through 2017. The deal included a guaranteed sum of $41.5 million.
2013: Stafford's Season Ends with Coaching Change
Matthew Stafford's 2013 season concluded with 4,650 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. However, the Lions struggled to a 7-9 record, leading to the dismissal of head coach Jim Schwartz.
2013: Lions Disappoint with 7-9 Record
The 2013 season proved to be a setback for the Detroit Lions, as they finished with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs. The disappointing campaign led to the firing of head coach Jim Schwartz.
January 14, 2014: Lions Appoint Jim Caldwell as Head Coach
The Detroit Lions ushered in a new era on January 14, 2014, by naming Jim Caldwell as their new head coach. Caldwell replaced Jim Schwartz, who was fired after the 2013 season.
2014: End of Stafford and Raiola's Teammate Era
In 2014, Stafford's tenure with teammate Dominic Raiola at the Lions came to an end.
2014: Pro Bowl Selection
Matthew Stafford earned Pro Bowl honors in 2014.
2014: Stafford Ranked in NFL Top 100
Despite the Lions' disappointing 2013 season, Matthew Stafford earned recognition for his individual performance. He was ranked #100 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list, as voted by his peers.
April 4, 2015: Stafford Marries Kelly Hall
Matthew Stafford married Kelly Hall, the sister of former NFL player Chad Hall, on April 4, 2015.
2015: Stafford Donates to S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center
In 2015, Stafford donated $1 million to the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center, contributing to community development.
2016: Stafford Scores First Rushing Touchdown Since 2016
In a Wild Card Round victory against the Arizona Cardinals, Matthew Stafford scored his first rushing touchdown since 2016.
2016: NFL Season Record for Comeback Wins
Matthew Stafford set the NFL season record for comeback wins in 2016.
2018: Stafford Nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year
In 2018, Stafford was the Lions' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, recognizing his charitable efforts.
April 2019: Kelly Stafford Announces Brain Tumor Diagnosis
In April 2019, Kelly Stafford revealed on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
April 17, 2019: Kelly Stafford Undergoes Brain Surgery
Kelly Stafford underwent a 12-hour surgery on April 17, 2019, for a brain tumor.
October 27, 2019: Lions Secure First Win Since October 27, 2019
On October 27, 2019, the Detroit Lions secured their first victory since October 27, 2019, with a win against the Arizona Cardinals.
November 10, 2019: Stafford Misses First Game Since 2010
On November 10, 2019, Matthew Stafford missed his first game since 2010, ending his streak of 136 consecutive regular-season starts. It was later revealed that he had non-displaced fractures in his upper thoracic spine.
December 18, 2019: Stafford Placed on Injured Reserve
On December 18, 2019, after missing six games due to a back injury, Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
November 4, 2020: Stafford on COVID-19 List
Matthew Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 4, 2020, after being in close contact with someone who tested positive.
November 7, 2020: Stafford Cleared from COVID-19 List
On November 7, 2020, Stafford was removed from the COVID-19 list after testing negative for the virus.
2020: End of Time with the Lions
Matthew Stafford's time as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions ended in 2020.
2020: Stafford Family Donates to University of Georgia
Prior to the 2020 NFL season, the Stafford family donated $1.5 million to the University of Georgia to support social justice initiatives and scholarships for needy students.
March 18, 2021: Stafford Traded to the Rams
In a significant trade on March 18, 2021, Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff, a third-round pick, and two future first-round picks.
2021: Stafford Family Funds Educational Center in Detroit
Around 2021, the Stafford family donated $1 million to fund an educational center in Detroit after moving to Los Angeles.
2021: Trade to the Rams
Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
March 19, 2022: Stafford Signs Contract Extension, Undergoes Elbow Procedure
Matthew Stafford signed a four-year contract extension worth $160 million with the Rams on March 19, 2022. He also underwent an elbow procedure during the offseason to address pain he had been experiencing.
December 3, 2022: Stafford Placed on Injured Reserve, Ending Season
Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022, due to a spinal cord contusion, prematurely ending his season.
2022: Stafford's Future Uncertain After Injury-Plagued Season
Stafford's future in football was uncertain after a 2022 season plagued by injuries, leading to speculation about potential retirement.
2023: Stafford Returns as Rams Starting Quarterback
After recovering from injuries sustained in 2022, Matthew Stafford returned as the Los Angeles Rams' starting quarterback in 2023.
2023: Stafford Appears in Netflix Series Quarterback
During the 2023 NFL season, Stafford agreed to appear in the second season of the Netflix series Quarterback, showcasing his career and life.
2024: Stafford as Godfather to Top Recruit
In 2024, Stafford is the godfather of Dylan Raiola, who is the top football recruit. Raiola is the son of Dominic Raiola, Stafford's former teammate.