No, a jersey ban isn't happening.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford spent his first 12 NFL seasons with the Lions. And though he won a Super Bowl in his first season with Los Angeles, it’s obvious that he cares about Detroit and the Lions fan base.
So, one Lions fan page might have given Stafford some extra bulletin-board material ahead of Sunday’s return to Detroit in the NFC wild-card round. Stafford’s wife, Kelly, certainly took notice.
A Lions fan Instagram page, thedetroitline, mocked up an official-looking graphic to propose a ban of Stafford jerseys at Ford Field. It was a silly thing to even suggest and clearly didn’t come from the Lions in any capacity. But Kelly appeared to think it was an actual ban or movement and expressed her disappointment in the comments.
Kelly Stafford's response to the "jersey ban" pic.twitter.com/iDjXo8NVTQ
— x – Zac (Indianapolis Rams) (@ZacMaier) January 9, 2024
She wrote:
Well this is sad because it’s the completely opposite of how we feel about this city, but Matthew has always been the bigger person and will continue to be that. Praying for an incredible game with zero injuries.
The account responded, trying to walk back on the idea and saying that the city still loves Stafford — just not for Sunday’s game. Plus, nobody should expect Lions fans to be rooting for Stafford in a game he’s playing against the Lions.
Other NFL fans seemed surprised that anyone took the “jersey ban” idea seriously to begin with.
