Detroit sports fans already knew Matthew Stafford was a winner and a leader.
Stafford’s talent in the NFL didn’t materialize in Los Angeles, it was first on display in the Motor City.
Let’s take a look back at some of number 9’s greatest moments in Honolulu blue.
OT Game Winning TD Pass to Golden Tate vs. Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 16th, 2016)
After forcing the game into OT and winning the coin toss to get the ball, Stafford drove the Lions to the Minnesota 28-yard line and found an open Golden Tate who performed some impressive acrobatics to secure the game winning touchdown for Detroit against a division rival.
Throwback to when Golden Tate showed absolutely no respect for the Vikings defense😂 pic.twitter.com/ai4fEPRr16
— Will Stout (@WillTStout) August 18, 2017Spike Fake / QB Sneak vs. Dallas Cowboys (Oct. 27th, 2013)
The Lions were working against a 30-24 score with less than a minute to play. More than enough time for Stafford to go to work!
7 years ago today, Matthew Stafford leads the Lions (-140 ML) on an 80-yard last minute drive & takes it himself on a fake spike/QB sneak for the TD to beat the Cowboys 31-30#BarstoolSportsbook
— Bet The Pigskin (@betthepigskin) October 27, 2020
pic.twitter.com/U0AEHIIBYIComeback King vs. Cleveland Browns (Nov. 22nd, 2009)
After a hard hit from linebacker CJ Mosely, Stafford gritted through the pain and led his team to victory!
Matthew Stafford the "comeback king". Browns vs Lions 2009. This game shows you how big of a heart Stafford has for the game and team! pic.twitter.com/j4XXvU7juZ
— Lions Pride (@LionsPride) December 17, 2016Drive to the 43 Yard Kick vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sep. 11th, 2016)
Stafford completed 3 of 4 passes for a 50 yard rush to set up a field goal which put them over the Colts 39-35.
Remember the @Lions' final drive of their Week 1 shootout against the @Colts in 2016?
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2020
📺: #INDvsDET — Sunday 1pm ET on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/dCqFQoNm6eTD Pass With No Time Left vs. Atlanta Falcons (Oct. 25th, 2020)
With 2 seconds left to play, Stafford found Hockenson down the middle for a game winning touchdown.
THE GAME WINNER!
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 25, 2020
Matt Stafford ➡️ @TheeHOCK8 went clutch mode!
(via @Lions) pic.twitter.com/jwWfZP9MGhFive TD Connections vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Nov. 26th, 2015)
Another awesome TD pass performance from Stafford. Five connections, three hitting Megatron!
Throwback to Thanksgiving 2015 when the Lions defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 45-14.
— Tony Dombrowski (@tonydombrowski) November 26, 2020
Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes, with three of them going to Calvin Johnson 🔥 #OnePride
(via @ThePhillyPod)
pic.twitter.com/9gK4A1G24rQB Makes the Run vs. Tennessee Titans (Sep. 16th, 2016)
With DB Perrish Cox in his way, Stafford showed little hesitation en route to a first down.
Sept. 18, 2016: @Lions QB Matt Stafford mashed the truck stick💪💪
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 16, 2020
(via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/z8X9mshxftClinching Playoff Berth For the First Time Since '99 vs. San Diego Chargers (Dec. 24th, 2011)
Stafford led the Lions to a post-season berth for the first time since 1999.
One of my favorite @Lions game. The final moments of the playoff clinching berth game in 2011 vs Chargers. pic.twitter.com/OYg7guw4Kq
— mm (@muhtacinm) May 21, 2017Stafford Finds Megatron in Triple Coverage vs. Cincinnati Bengals & Dallas Cowboys
2 for 1 hightlights of Stafford and Megatron putting on a show!
Calvin Johnson catches a TD in triple coverage against the Bengals and Cowboys pic.twitter.com/HBNRxA73OV
— Heart of NFL (@HeartofNFL) March 26, 2019Detroit Still Loves Ya, Matt
Stafford may have found success out west, but he’s got a slew of loyal supporters who are happy to see him doing well.
Some, like this fella here, are VERY happy to see him doing well.
Matthew Stafford is still loved in Detroit 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LOpTGbtFnH
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) January 24, 2022