VIDEO: TMZ 'Interviews' Matthew Stafford At Airport

by Sean Yuille on Feb 20, 2012 2:00 PM EST in Detroit Lions News

Although he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 and showed a lot of promise on the field, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford wasn't exactly someone you would expect to find on a celebrity gossip site in his first couple years in the NFL. After throwing for more than 5,000 yards and leading the Lions to the playoffs in 2011, those days are over. Stafford has spent this offseason winning various awards, and when he was at LAX on Sunday returning from the Hall of Game Awards, TMZ caught up with him.

Stafford, who appeared to be understandably uncomfortable with being filmed by a paparazzi, answered questions about how much his arm is insured for (it's not), what his contract bans him from doing (riding motorcycles, skydiving, etc.) and what his first big purchase was after he signed his contract (a new house for his parents).

Perhaps the funniest thing is that in its story, TMZ notes that Stafford is a Pro Bowl quarterback. He wasn't in 2011, but I guess his play on the field even has people outside of football thinking he should have received that honor.

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Anybody else want to punch this interviewer in the face?

Seriously, does this guy just hang out at LAX and accost celebrities?

PS- Stafford’s girl is still hot.

"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne

by UndaDawg on Feb 20, 2012 2:12 PM EST reply actions

well, he works for TMZ

So of course I want to punch him in the face. Doesn’t get any scummier than TMZ.

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by simscity on Feb 20, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

Reason for why even a 6-2, 230 pound-ish quarterback should carry pepper spray...

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by Latif Masud on Feb 20, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Latif, I'm upset with you bro

Matt is 6’3" alright? Don’t make that mistake again man, come on, these things are important

by SanDiegoMick on Feb 21, 2012 1:59 AM EST up reply actions

Nope

He’s 6-2

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by Latif Masud on Feb 21, 2012 7:17 AM EST up reply actions

lol

And Suh didn’t lose 20 pounds last off season.

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-There are approximately 45 cats and dogs for every person born.
-Only 1 out of 10 dogs born ever get a home.
-Only 1 out of 12 cats born ever find a home.
-Approximately 800 dogs & cats are KILLED each HOUR in the United States, because there are not enough homes for them!

by joshsun on Feb 21, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

I believe Stafford is not allowed to do that ....by contract.

"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 20, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, unfortunately he's probably forbidden from assaulting the press, even if it's TMZ.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Feb 20, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Poor Matt

You don’t deserve this B.S!

"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)

PCP 4 LIFE

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by The Profiler on Feb 20, 2012 4:58 PM EST reply actions

Matthew Stafford is the awesomest evah!

He is the All-American guy and his parents should be proud as hell of the way he carries himself. The guy from TMZ is a schmuck, but they always are.

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by TuffLynx on Feb 20, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions

Yeah

I don’t usually like the ‘aw shucks’ mentality some sports stars carry, but Stafford comes off genuine enough. I think Highland Park is a pretty affluent area of Texas, so he’s probably not overwhelmed by the money necessarily, its just good to see fame hasn’t made him ‘too cool’

'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela

"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011

by Nate D. on Feb 20, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, highland park is pretty ritzy.

drive through it and you can tell most everyone has money. i think matt’s parents did a fine job of instilling humility into their son. mighta been a rich kid, but he’s got a blue-collar mentality. fits in detroit rather well.

by dfwLions on Feb 21, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

He seemed to take it well

I mean, imagine checking into an airport and some guy with a camera starts asking you dumb questions. If it were a rare occurrence as it more than likely is for Matt, I’d laugh it off and roll with it.

Just goes to show what a ‘normal guy’ we have for a 70 million dollar QB.

'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela

"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011

by Nate D. on Feb 20, 2012 5:03 PM EST reply actions

This tmz guy is annoying

However, Stafford doesn’t seem like its really bothering him that this douchebag is asking him a bunch of stupid questions. I’m just glad we got Stafford and that he’s already a pro-bowl caliber player before he even turns 24 yrs old. This year’s draft will be interesting after we see where free agency takes us.

Superbowl bound in 2013-Go Lions.

From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!

by DLions4Eva on Feb 20, 2012 5:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions