Super Bowl in Numbers: Matthew Stafford’s Detroit Fans Yield Higher TV Rating Than His Own LA Rams Fans

Super Bowl LVI raked in record viewership numbers. 112.3 million viewers watched as the Rams took on the Bengals, at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

In local markets, Cincinnati stood on top with a rating of 46.1. But, even though Cincinnati clocked the highest rating, it was only marginally better than unsurprisingly second-placed Detroit’s.

Matthew Stafford’s Detroit Fans tuned-in to the Super Bowl

The Motor City had a 45.9 rating, implying that the Super Bowl was on in 45.9% of Detroit households. 79% of households watching TV were watching the Super Bowl. In Cincinnati, it stood at 84% followed by Columbus, which clocked 80% of TV viewers tuning in.

The Closest Detroit fans have been to the Super Bowl

Detroit loves football. So it is not entirely surprising to see this as Stafford played for the Detroit Lions for a long time. He was the saving grace for much of the fan base and a pillar in the community. Detroit fans started supporting him as much as they backed the franchise and followed him as he went to the much more talented Rams.

And since their favorite team has stayed clear of a Championship run for many years, they were pumped up to watch their favorite QB slinging it at the biggest stage.

Reacting to the support received from Detroit fans, Stafford told NFL Network, “It was amazing. Like you said, there was no reason for them to cheer for me anymore. The fact that they did is just a testament to who they are as people and who they are as fans. You play in a Midwest city, you know the deal. They live and die with those guys, the players, and to have that support all the way across the country here playing in this game means the world to me, my wife, and my family.”

LA did not make the top ten

Although his old team garnered high viewership, the team that Stafford currently plays for did not record high viewership. Only 36.1% of households in LA were watching the game, which meant they did not make it to the national Top 10 markets.

LA just proved once again that they have a lot of things to focus on except football; while Detroit’s numbers show that they are extremely supportive and appreciative. In the NFL, an outgoing QB is almost always looked at with animosity, but Detroit’s farewell to Stafford was filled with love and support.

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