Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the former University of Georgia standout who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions last offseason, had to make some major adjustments after the move.
Stafford is set to play in his first Super Bowl when the Rams face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
“My first thought was, man, I was excited,” said Stafford, who requested a trade after 12 seasons and a 74-90-1 record as starter. “You know, I was excited about the opportunity to come to Los Angeles to play for this great organization with great teammates that I was going to have the opportunity to play with.”
The AJC at Super Bowl 56
» An ex-Atlanta Falcon will get a Super Bowl ring
» Follow Super Bowl Sunday in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
» Ex-Georgia Bulldog Matthew Stafford looks for Hollywood ending in Super Bowl
» Super Bowl key matchups: Rams vs. Bengals
» Can Rams’ pass rush rattle Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow?
» Michael Cunningham’s Super Bowl winner is ...
» Thomas Brown part of the Georgia flavor in Super Bowl LVI
» Rushing attacks could take over in Super Bowl LVI
» 10 former Georgia high school players in Super Bowl
» Ricardo Allen uses Falcons’ Super Bowl flop to inspire Bengals
» LSU products Odell Beckham, Ja’Marr Chase ready for Super Bowl stage
» Rams’ Cooper Kupp is nearly unstoppable
» Ex-Falcon Ricardo Allen only Bengal with Super Bowl experience
» Joe Burrow: From Buckeyes backup to Bengals magic man
» Rams’ Matthew Stafford ready for his first Super Bowl
» What Falcons can learn from Bengals’ rapid rebuild
» Rams’ Sean McVay heads up Georgia’s Super Bowl contingent
» Bengals looking to make their own playoff history
» All-Star Rams have their eyes on the Lombardi Trophy
» Bengals’ Joe Burrow built for the Super Bowl stage
» Bengals’ Uzomah: ‘I’m not missing the biggest game of my life’
Stafford was pleased the Lions granted his request.
“At the same time, I was really thinking back about how appreciative I was of so many of the great teammates and players that I got to play with and enjoyed,” Stafford said. “I’m thankful to the Ford family (owners of the Lions) for my opportunity to play in this league. But at the same time, I was pumped about being able to get to LA.”
Stafford said he’d been in touch with several former teammates including former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
The Bow Tie Chronicles
About the Author
