Posted 3 years ago
Matthew Stafford is no longer the starting quarterback in Detroit, but he and his family won't be soon forgotten in the city he called home for more than a decade.
The new Los Angeles Rams quarterback bid an unofficial farewell to Detroit on Thursday, first detailing why he made the difficult decision to request a trade in an interview with the Detroit Free Press, then leaving a significant parting gift for the city.
Stafford's wife Kelly posted a statement announcing a $1 million pledge to help build a new education center with SAY Detroit, the nonprofit organization founded by Mitch Albom to help Detroit's needy citizens.
Per SAY Detroit, the Staffords' donation will go toward building a 20,000-square-foot facility on the grounds of Detroit's Lipke Park, called the Kelly and Matthew Stafford and Friends Education Center. The building will include classrooms, learning labs and an auditorium that will help students young and old, with vocational and technical training for the latter.
The Staffords' relationship with SAY Detroit goes back to 2015, when another $1 million donation helped reopen a recreation center in Detroit.
This donation doesn't cover the education center's budget goal of $2 million, so SAY Detroit is still seeking donations, which can be sent here. The organization says several companies and business leaders have already pledged to join the campaign, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and the Forbes Company.
Topic: Sports
Tags: Detroit Lions Matt Stafford