Video: Matthew Stafford 'Happy for Lions Players' When Asked About Detroit After Boos

Matthew Stafford spent his first 12 NFL seasons in Detroit resetting the Lions' franchise passing record book, but his return Sunday night as a Los Angeles Ram was not a particularly warm homecoming.

Lions fans booed Stafford when he took the field, and the Rams quarterback offered a terse response when asked about the city of Detroit after the Lions' 24-23 win over Los Angeles.

That said, Stafford did not appear to take the situation too personally.

"It's a playoff game. I'm not surprised that they were excited about cheering for their team. I'm not too worried about anybody's personal feelings towards me that was sitting in the stands," Stafford added.

Detroit was hosting its first playoff game in 30 years, so it's understandable that fans were ready to give Rams players a full-throated chorus of boos—even if one of those players was a franchise legend.

On the other hand, the divorce between Stafford and the Lions was about as amicable as possible and the Detroit faithful should arguably be thanking him. Without Stafford pushing for an exit, the Lions never would have acquired their current franchise quarterback (Jared Goff) or be able to jockey around in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft to bring in running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

The deal was a rare NFL win-win, with the Rams hoisting a Lombardi Trophy in Stafford's first season with the franchise (2021) while the Lions used the trade to build a roster that may wind up winning a title of its own.

Odds are Stafford will have a much nicer reception when he returns to Detroit after his playing career to get his rightful induction into the team's ring of honor.