Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is set to usher in a new chapter in his career after being traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
Stafford has served as the franchise cornerstone in Detroit since being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Aside from his efforts on the field, he has also made his presence felt by making an impact on the community throughout the course of his career.
Stafford is now preparing to make his mark as the new centerpiece of head coach Sean McVay’s offense in L.A. However, his family is not leaving their former home without leaving a token of their appreciation.
Stafford’s wife Kelly took to Instagram to announce a $1 million pledge to help build a new education center with SAY Detroit as a parting gift:
The Stafford’s are partnering with esteemed writer Mitch Albom’s nonprofit organization founded by Mitch Albom to help the surrounding Detroit communities in need. The donation will fund a 20,000-square-foot facility that will be called the Kelly and Matthew Stafford and Friends Education Center.
This is not the first time that the Stafford’s have worked with SAY Detroit after making a $1 million donation back in 2015. The duo also pledged $1.5 million to the University of Georgia to fund social justice initiatives and scholarships for students prior to the start of the 2020 NFL season.
Their actions are not only indicative of their appreciation for the city of Detroit, but their efforts to make a positive impact on the place they called home for over a decade. Even though he is no longer with the Lions, his family has managed to leave a lasting legacy.
Stafford is now looking to potentially add a championship to his legacy by joining a Rams team with high expectations leading up to the 2021 NFL season.
