Matthew Stafford, S.A.Y. Detroit Behind $10M Athletic And Academic Center For Kids
DETROIT (WWJ) - Following the team's first victory of the season on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford spent his "off day" at the grand opening of a new academic and athletic center for Detroit school kids.
Near 7 Mile and Van Dyke - at Lipke Park -- cheerleaders helped mark the opening of S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center and of the newly crowned Stafford Field.
"I'm not sure which is Matthew Stafford's greater miracle of the week? What he did on Sunday or what he has done here!" said Mayor Mike Duggan.
The $10 million center is the product of Stafford's Score 7 Charitable Foundation and S.A.Y. Detroit.
"This isn't a one and done thing," said Stafford. "This is something that's going to be around for a long time - we are going to put a lot of time and energy into it and this is just the beginning."
"As much fun as it's going to be coming out here trying to get Megatron and all those guys to come out here and throw some footballs -- play catch with these young guys - do all those things with these young guys. I'm equally as excited for whats going on inside this building and give the opportunity to help these kids and help them learn," said Stafford.
Twelve-year-old Kamari Smith believes the new field will bring great things.
"I think this will be a good opportunity for a lot of kids - probably keep them out of trouble. It's sweet," he says.