ALLEN PARK – Matthew Stafford has spent the last twelve years investing all kinds of time and money in the Detroit community. Now that his time here is over, he is promising one last gift on his way out the door.
Stafford and his wife, Kelly, donated $ 1 million to help build a new educational center in SAY Detroit, a nonprofit organization started by Mitch Albom that offers shelter, food, medical care, volunteer efforts and education for students of families low income in the city. The “Kelly and Matthew Stafford & Friends Education Center” will be a 20,000 square foot facility with classrooms, laboratories and vocational training space, according to a press release.
The facility will be located in Lipke Park, where the couple has already donated another $ 1 million to reopen a recreation center that was closed due to budget cuts. The football field was renamed Stafford Field in 2015.
“There are not enough words to truly express how grateful we are to have lived here for the past 12 years,” said Kelly Stafford in an Instagram post. “We came here for football, but we are leaving with a feeling of home and affection. Affection not only for this city and the Lions organization, but also love for the people who make up this community. Detroit has supported our family not only by showing up on Sundays, but also in our most difficult times. You took us in as your own and made Detroit feel at home and that is what it has become, our home.
“Our goal has always been to give back to the city. Detroit and its people have blessed us in many ways, we hope you have felt our gratitude through our joy in giving back to the city. When we sat down and tried to figure out how to thank him for the last time, we felt that words were not enough. And so, we partnered with Mitch Albom to create an educational center that will be attached to the SAY Play Center, where Stafford Field is also located. The new building will allow the center to increase its student population that benefits from the center’s academic, sporting and artistic programs, in addition to serving adults with professional training programs, GED classes and community events. This is the legacy we want to leave behind. “
Matthew Stafford was chosen by Detroit as the first overall choice in the 2009 draft. He became the franchise’s greatest passer of all time in the past 12 years and set more than 30 records, but requested an exchange after last season, while Lions were on their way to another reconstruction. The Lions postponed this discussion until new general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell were hired, so all parties met and agreed to seek an exchange.
A week after the Lions put Stafford on the block, they made a switch to send the quarterback to the Los Angeles Rams for a third round pick this year, a first round pick next year and a first round pick in 2022. They they also hired veteran quarterback Jared Goff in the business, who is expected to start next season at the center.
The exchange cannot be finalized until the start of the new league year next month, but Matthew Stafford’s time in Detroit is over. Its impact, however, will continue for many years to come in many ways.