Toward the end of the Rams' win over the Lions last Sunday in which Matthew Stafford put up three touchdowns and over 300 yards, a group of defensive players on Detroit chatted with No. 9 between plays. Among them was rookie Levi Onwuzurike, who couldn't believe Stafford is in the midst of his 13th season in the NFL.
Onwuzurike was 11 years old when his fellow Texas native debuted for the Lions in 2009.
"How long you been in the league?" Onwuzurike asked a mic'd-up Matthew Stafford.
"This is 13," Stafford said.
"Huh?"
"13 for me right now."
"You look like you’re 20."
"I look like I’m 20? I’ll fuc*ing take that all day!" Stafford said. "I feel like I’m 50."
Stafford's mic also caught a feel-good exchange he shared with D'Andre Swift after the game. The fellow Georgia products were teammates last season in Detroit and clearly still admire each other.
"Big dog, keep fu*king balling, man," Stafford told Swift after the Lions running back put up 100-plus scrimmage yards and a touchdown for the fourth time this season. "I love watching you play, man."
"Keep going," Swift replied as the two hugged at midfield. "So proud of you. I'm so fu*king proud of you. Keep doing your thing, bro."
"Keep playing great," said Stafford. "Holler at me some time, alright!?"
"Most definitely."