Detroit Lions franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford made history on Sunday by surpassing 40,000 career passing yards—the fastest achievement in NFL history.
The fastest QB to throw for 40,000 yards?
That would be @Lions QB Matt Stafford. 👏
(by @pizzahut) pic.twitter.com/8lCrpJSSxs
— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2019
Stafford and the Lions are facing NFC North division rival Minnesota Vikings in Week 7 at home. While Detroit plays in a must-win game against their foes to break .500, Stafford's achievement was no less noticed across the league.
#Lions QB Matthew Stafford reached 40,000 career passing yards in only his 147th-career game, the fewest games needed in @NFL history. He reached the feat four games quicker than Falcons QB Matt Ryan, who held the previous record at 151 games.#OnePride https://t.co/OZyECJPmnh
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) October 20, 2019
The 31-year-old Stafford has never been an immediate name people think of when discussing the NFL's elite quarterbacks, but the former first-overall pick in the 2009 draft has been lighting it up pretty consistently through his 12-year professional career.
Stafford entered the 2019 season with 38,526 passing yards; it took him five games and change to hit the 40,000-yard plateau along with appearing in 147 games for the Lions, making him a mainstay for the Motor City franchise.
Despite the achievement, Stafford is only a one-time Pro-Bowl quarterback, actually winning offensive MVP in that year's Hawaii classic, and won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year for the 2011 season. Stafford's career is not brimming with accolades like some of his peers in the league, but that has not stopped him from amassing impressive achievements like today's milestone. The gunslinging play caller had 1,387 passing yards entering Week 7.
Stafford previously led the league in pass attempts in 2011-12 and completions in 2012. He will need to help the Lions this season, however, overcome the mediocre start. In spite of Stafford's throwing feats, Detroit has only clinched a postseason berth three times since he was selected first overall—losing all three Wild Card games.
The Lions and Stafford are in the middle of a close matchup at the moment.
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