Matthew Stafford

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was born in Dallas, Texas on February 7, 1988.

He attended Highland Park High School; playing for head coach Randy Allen,and was a Parade, Super Prep and USA Today All-American selection. Rivals.com rated him as the best prep passer in the country while he was ranked second nationally by both Scout.com and ESPN. Mathew was a three-time All-State selection; adding Gatorade Player of the Year, EA Sports National Player of the Year and Dallas Morning News Area Offensive Player of the Year accolades as a senior. Stafford was also rated a five star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. He was named Class AAAA "Mr. Texas Football" and Class AAAA Player of the Year. As a senior, he threw for 4,018 yards on 209 of 322 passing and 38 touchdowns.

After enrolling at the University of Georgia, Stafford was named the starting quarterback his freshman year. He was selected to the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference team by the league's coaches, twice earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

During his sophomore season he threw for 19 touchdowns as the Bulldogs completed an 11 and 2 season. He was named the recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. Howard Williams, II, Football Scholarship.

As a junior, Stafford came into his own. He passed for 3,459 yards (second-best season total by a Bulldog passer), completing 61% of his passes. Matt also tossed 25 touchdown passes against only 10 interceptions and had a passing efficiency rating of 153.54. He earned All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors from the league's coaches and Associated Press. Mathew was also named the team's Vince Dooley Most Valuable Player of the Year Award and received SEC Academic Honor Roll distinction for the fall semesterhttp://www.detroitlions.com/team/roster/Matthew-Stafford/6729b028-3d95-445f-a139-7ffb2fb0018c.

The big Georgia quarterback chose to bypass his senior year and entered the National Football League draft. His decision was a wise one as he earned record money; a 6 year, 72 million dollar overall contract with 41.7 million guaranteed.<ref>ESPN.com: Sources: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions Agree to $41.7m, Six-year Deal</ref> He agreed upon the contract the day before being selected first overall by the Detroit Lions.

After being drafted first overall in the 2009 NFL draft, Stafford made his professional debut with the Detroit Lions as their starting quarterback against the New Orleans Saints. He was sacked once, throwing for 205 yards and 3 interceptions in a 45 - 27 loss.

Against the Washington Redskins in his 3rd professional start Mathew threw for 241 yards and a touchdown in the Lions 19 - 14 win; their first victory in 2009 after a winless 2008 season. He was sacked twice, but avoided throwing any interceptions.

His best performance of the season came in a 38 - 37 victory over the Cleveland Browns, when he tossed 5 touchdowns and threw for 422 yards while completing 60% of his passes. After being injured he returned for the last play of the game, throwing the winning touchdown.

During this, his rookie year he finished with 2,267 yards passing and 13 touchdowns against 20 interceptions. He started 10 games, posting 2 wins. Mathew also rushed for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns.