The 2024 NFL schedule has been announced, and the Los Angeles Rams will start their season with a big game on September 8. On Sunday Night Football, Week 1, they will face the Detroit Lions in a rematch of last year’s NFC Wildcard Playoff. But this highly anticipated battle could be personal for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Most recently, the quarterback’s wife, Kelly Stafford, recalled her past on-and-off relationship with the 36-year-old. Kelly and Matthew Stafford met each other while attending the University of Georgia. After years of dating, they got married in 2015. However, like every other relationship, it wasn’t always a bed of roses for the lovebirds.

In a recent interview on the Off the Vine podcast, Kelly appeared to talk about her relationship with the QB during their dating period. She revealed, “It wasn’t that cute of a relationship at first. I hated him; I loved him.” Hence, to make the now 36-year-old jealous, Kelly has now come up with a master plan to date his backup QB, Joe Cox, in Georgia.

The former cheerleader recalled, “I dated the backup to pi** him off, which worked—he was the bad boy too. Matthew’s so sweet and a Southern gentleman and all that stuff. And the backup was the complete opposite, and it upset him.” Kelly further added that Stafford and Cox were roommates, as “athletes lived in the same dorm room.”

While narrating the whole incident, she said, “He [Matthew Stafford] would see my car there. At one point he waited and followed me into the car. I was like, ‘This is amazing, it’s working.’ I was like, ‘Get out of my car.’ He was like, ‘He’s not right for you.’ I was like, ‘What? You can’t tell me that.”

According to the reports, Joe Cox, whom Kelly is referring to as a “bad boy,” is now an American football coach who played as a quarterback in Georgia for four seasons. Although this “revengeful dating” disturbed Stafford at that time, social media users today are intrigued by the strategy. Many gave their hilarious reactions to this, while some asked for a ‘Joe Cox’ tribute in Stafford’s 2024 Week 1 game.

A user, Jeff Riger, posted the clip of Kelly admitting her revenge while sharing his thoughts on it. The user suggested, “There needs to be a Cox-out for Sunday night football vs LA. Could you imagine Matthew runs out to a sea of Lions fans wearing shirts with the face of Joe Cox on them? Or how about a Joe Cox tribute video? Guaranteed win for the Lions! LOL.”

Many liked the idea, saying, “That’s diabolical I love it,” or “Of all your great ideas and discussions, this might be your GOAT. This needs to happen” with three laughing emojis. Another fan joked with his own suggestion, “No…No shirts. Just signs with black number 14 with red trim,” indicating Cox’s jersey no. 14 with Georgia’s red jersey.

Hence, it remains to be seen how the Lions’ fans are going to treat Stafford in the Week 1 game, as they have another reason to hate the quarterback.

But why do the Lions fans hate LA’s Matthew Stafford?

Matthew Stafford was actually selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL draft. He spent 12 seasons with the team before joining the Rams. Hence, when these teams met each other the last time, the Lions’ faithfully booed Stafford from the stands. This happened when he emerged from the tunnel before the NFC wildcard playoff game, in which he lost to Motor City 24-23.

With the Lions, Matthew Stafford achieved many of the team’s franchise records for QB, including passing yards (45,109) and touchdowns (282). However, he never won a playoff game with them. Maybe a reason, fans hate him.

Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops to throw during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY SportsHence, this NFC game was significant for Detroit, as it was their first home playoff game in 30 years, and moreover, they hadn’t won a playoff since January 5, 1992, the longest active postseason win drought for any franchise. Because of this, Stafford was booed in the game and is still disliked by the Lions faithful.

However, Matthew Stafford already knew that he wouldn’t be getting a warm welcome on the field, as before the game, he acknowledged, “I’m the bad guy coming to town. I’m on the other team. They don’t want success for me.” Therefore, there are chances like that before; this time too, Stafford may face on-field hatred or teasing.