Staffords announce plans for educational center in Detroit as a ‘final thank you’

Throughout the past week or two Matthew and Kelly Stafford have been teasing a last farewell present to the city of Detroit as the two—and their four children—prepare for a new life in Los Angeles following the trade that will soon make him a Ram. On Thursday evening, Kelly revealed that plan.

Per her Instagram, Kelly and Matthew are teaming up with the Detroit Free Press’ Mitch Albom to create the “Kelly and Matthew Stafford & Friends Educational Center” in Detroit. The program will be attached to the S.A.Y. PLAY Center, a building in which the Staffords helped completely renovate back in 2015, including the addition of a football field which dons the name “Stafford Field.”

“The new building will enable the Center to increase its student population who benefit from the center’s academic, athletic and arts programs, and service adults with job training programs, GED classes, and community events,” Kelly wrote in her Instagram post. “This is the legacy we want to leave behind. We would love for you to be a part of it with us..to be a part of this legacy of making a positive impact in so many Detroiters’ lives.”

The Staffords have left a legacy of giving in their dozen years in Detroit. Whether it was the Christmas gift giveaways to families who endured tragedies, providing local schools with tools for remote learning, Matthew’s recent fight for social justice programs, or several other endeavors by the couple—often without the fanfare of big media events—they certain did a big part in trying to improve the community around them. That, Kelly hopes, will be part of their 12-year legacy.

“You will always remember Matthew Stafford as a Detroit Lions quarterback, but our hope is that you will also remember our family for our love of the Detroit community and its people.

Thank you Detroit, for everything.”