Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford gave $1 million in January to help reopen a rec center in Detroit. On Tuesday, the football field at the complex was named after him.
The field at the Lipke Rec Center in Detroit -- now officially named Stafford Field -- is part of the renovation donation he made as part of a deal with Mitch Albom’s charities to help rebuild Detroit.
Stafford Field dedication pic.twitter.com/OnGcaMj85i
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 20, 2015Stafford’s foundation -- the Score7 Charitable Fund -- made the donation in a partnership with the city of Detroit and S.A.Y. Detroit, which is one of Albom’s charities.
The park was initially closed due to budget cuts, and the field was part of a proposed athletic and academic center that included football and basketball workout facilities, an academic center, computer lab and -- according to original mockups -- an ice arena.
The entire complex will be known as the S.A.Y. Play Center and is part of a 10-year project costing around $10 million, according to the initial release about the facilities.
Stafford is in his seventh season with the Lions after being taken with the No. 1 pick of the 2009 draft out of Georgia.