Take a walk with me, The Lions are notoriously bad. We all know this. I receive at least 4 texts a week with the same three letters: SOL (Same Old Lions). Don't get me wrong, this is mostly in fault to poor management, poor drafts, and a revolving door of head coaches. But the Leos have also faced some harsh rulings over the years from our beloved striped donkeys roaming the field with their yellow handkerchiefs. That’s right, the Refs and the NFL, HATE Detroit, and cost Stafford a career.
I used to joke and laugh about it.
“It’s rigged,” I would scream like a mad man, “It’s all rigged I tell ya!”
But now it's no laughing matter.
The Lions have been nearly penalized for fans cheering too loud (Not Joking). They had a promising season stolen from them in the 2014 NFC Wildcard match against the Dallas Cowboys. In which, late in the game with the Lions holding a three point lead and driving, a penalty flag was thrown for Pass Interference on Dallas, and then mysteriously waved. AFTER it had been announced over the loudspeaker. And this year (2019), the game that completely halted all of the Lions momentum. A game I refer to as “Christmas Comes Early: Packers Edition,” where the Lions were blatantly cheated out of a rivalry win on prime time television.
Any real Lions fan has already lived through everything I just said. It’s still pains me to think about, but I’m getting help. I’m trying to move on. What I can’t move on from is how wrong this is for a QB like Matthew Stafford. I have been a Believer in Number 9 since his days at Georgia. When he became a Lion, everything had fallen into place. We were going to build a team and compete in this league. Finally!
Wrong. 11 seasons and 0 playoff wins later, here we are.
But I don’t blame Stafford and I can't even fully blame the organization. Stafford has put up impressive numbers year after year. Beyond that, he has the strongest arm in the league. Not arguably, not maybe. THE strongest arm in the National Football League. He is a treat to watch throw the football and manage a game. Had Stafford been drafted to another team, he would have multiple rings right now.
Wow ok.. Let's take a breath. A lot of bold claims were just thrown out there.
Hear me out. Stafford would be a no brainer Hall of Famer if he were drafted by a team like the Cowboys, or the Colts. Teams with a strong O-line and oh yeah, not cursed and treated like the red headed step child of the NFL.
I mean seriously.. A penalty for cheering too loud?
There is still time for Stafford, and to be honest, I would be happy to see him traded to a different team. He would be like the puppy you found, fell in love with, but your mother wouldn't let you keep.
“Go on boy, get!” Tears form in your eyes, “Oh go on now and get, Staffy! I cant keep you any longer!”
Stafford has the talent, and arm strength to be one that sports fans would rejoice about for years to come. Like Favre, Brees, even Brady. Unfortunately, the way it looks now, on this team, He will be forgotten with the turning over of the QB1 torch. Whenever that may be.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope that all the ridiculous calls that have cost Stafford, my Lions, and the great city of Detroit huge wins is just coincidence and the league doesn't really hate The Detroit Lions. Only time will tell.
I’ll Be there clapping for Stafford and chanting, “Eat em up Lions!” just like always.
Maybe I’m the donkey.
Written By:
Dino
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