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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) hug after the Lions defeated the Rams 24-23 during the NFC wildcard game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
When it comes to power, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis had plenty.
Over the course of 13 seasons, the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers running back used his 5-foot-11, 250-pound frame to punish would be tacklers all the way to the Hall of Fame. The highlight of his career was winning Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit back in 2006.
During Super Bowl player introductions, Bettis sprinted out in front believing his teammates were behind him. However, they decided to stay in the tunnel so Bettis could receive the bulk of the cheering solo. It was a tremendous gesture by the players, one that was rewarded with a 21-10 victory.
“I played this game to win a championship,” he said afterward. “I’m a champion and I think The Bus’ last top is here in Detroit.”
Read more: Jared Goff gets revenge, barely, as Lions eliminate Rams with one-point victory
And for years and years that Bettis’ Super Bowl win felt like it belonged to all Lions fans.
That is until Matthew Stafford won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams in 2022.
After 12 seasons of playing for Detroit — sacrificing his body, the constant losing — Stafford was traded from the Lions to Los Angeles in exchange for Jared Goff and draft picks. The former Lion immediately found success — hence the “Detroit Rams” T-shirts that vendors had a difficult time keeping on the shelves after the Super Bowl victory.
Those shirts were that popular after the Rams won because it felt like we won as well. And Lions fans were hungry for any kind of success. Even success that really wasn’t ours.
Not fully, anyway.
That’s why Stafford was booed so viciously on Sunday.
Read more: Column: Rams coach Sean McVay won a Super Bowl. His next test is winning over more L.A. fans
The former franchise quarterback didn’t do…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/granderson-thanks-former-ram-jared-123016372.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-01-15 12:30:16
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