Matthew Stafford

Highland Park High School

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Inducted in 2023

Matthew Stafford started as quarterback for the Highland Park Scots his sophomore, junior and senior years under Coach Randy Allen. During those three seasons, he threw for 9,000 yards, and 94 touchdowns, leading the 2005 Band of Brothers to a 15-0 record and the first state championship in 48 years for the Highland Park Scots. In his senior season, he threw for 4,000 yards and 38 touchdowns. Stafford’s high school awards and accolades include: QB 2005 5A All-State Champions, 2005 5A All-State QB, All-State Team 4A Offensive Player of the Year, and First Team Offense. He was named to the Parade All-America Team, the USA Today Preseason Super 25 in 2005, won the MVP and Best Arm awards at the 2005 EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, and was named the 2005 EA Sports National Player of the Year. Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Stafford was listed as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback prospect in the class of 2006. Other awards include: Chevrolet Team Player of the Year, Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, All State (AP) First Team Offense, All Area – Offensive Player of the Year, All District – Most Valuable Player of the Year, Texas Sports Writer Assoc. Stafford went on to star at the University of Georgia, where he threw for 7,731 yards and 51 touchdowns in three seasons. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, chosen by the Detroit Lions, where he played for 12 seasons. Traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, Stafford led the Rams to victory in the Super Bowl LVI Championship. Entering his 15th NFL season, Stafford has passed for more than 52,000 yards and 333 touchdowns. Matthew and his wife Kelly live in California with their four daughters, Chandler, Sawyer, Hunter, and Tyler.