Picture this: Stafford still has something to learn
Matthew Stafford is learning a valuable lesson: Absorbing a new offense is only half the key to success in the NFL. (AP photo)
Let me start this by saying if I was 21 years old with a contract that guarantees me at least $41.7 million and I had a chance to go on a boat ride with several beautiful blonde women, I would be doing EXACTLY what Matt Stafford did this summer.
Well, I would change one thing: The yutz with the camera goes overboard.
Stafford just learned another lesson about the downside of public life. Pictures of him simply enjoying life have surfaced on the Internet. They’re all fairly innocent, even if they do make the average male envious. The closest thing to scandalous is one of him giving the unwholesome “No. 1″ sign to the camera. (Insert joke: That’s something he could never do at Georgia.)
None of this means Stafford: 1) Isn’t mature; 2) Isn’t talented; 3) Can’t lead; 4) Won’t be an outstanding quarterback for the Detroit Lions; 5) Won’t have a solid NFL career. All it affirms is he really knows how to get the most out of his summer vacation.
However . . . (You knew this was coming, didn’t you?)
It does say something that recent successful rookie NFL quarterbacks, the Falcons’ Matt Ryan and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco, have not had similar photos pop-up on websites like Deadspin. Conversely, Matt Leinart, who thus far has been a first-round bust in Arizona, had similar photos of him with a hot tub full of young women surface (including one of him holding up a beer bong). A photo of Michael Vick sitting in the backseat of a limo with what appeared to be a marijuana joint also was in cyberspace a few years back.
Two years ago, pictures of Stafford holding a keg over his head at Talladega Speedway circulated. No, he wasn’t drinking. But it wasn’t a photo the Georgia sports information department was going to rush to slap on the cover of the media guide, either.
It’s all about being aware of the people around you. It’s about the image you project.
Stafford faces unimaginable pressure as the first pick in the draft. He is being viewed as a franchise savior, and he hasn’t even taken a snap, yet. None of us can possibly relate to being in that kind of spotlight. He certainly is entitled, if not expected, to blow off a little steam before he gets started.
But there’s an awareness issue that Stafford needs to recognize and deal with. And I’m pretty sure the Lions aren’t going to be distributing these photos to prospective season-ticket holders.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
103 comments Add your comment
GTDhoo
July 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
ya, screw morality. more chicks and beer!
Gen Neyland
July 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
Stafford is just enjoying the time left in a body unbent and broken. In time, he’ll learn to avoid cameras and embarrassing situations. Either you learn or you get Vicked
chemdawg
July 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
words, words, words, link to picture of blondes, words, time to go home!
Archie
July 31st, 2009
4:01 pm
Nobody is saying Stafford did anything illegal, nobody said he’s doing anything wrong. He just needs to be smart about how he does his partying. He’s a 40 million dollar man now, which means he has 40 million dollars to lose if he does one stupid thing. With a bank account that big, he can afford to hire a body guard or off duty cop for $500 to work one afternoon. The guy’s only job description is A) nobody gets arrested, B) nobody drowns, C) nobody that ain’t invited to the party finds out about it, ie no pictures, no cellphones, and no friends of friends that nobody likes showing up and causing trouble. This is why pro athletes have an entourage, so they can have all the fun they want while somebody else does all the boring stuff and keeps them out of trouble. Again, he didn’t do anything wrong, but the fact that the public knows about it shows that he still has something to learn about being a pro athlete and celebrity.
SthrnSrvy
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
No story here folks, move along, the restrooms are THAT way…..
The Thomas Brown Affair
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Matt seems to be enjoying himself almost as much as Tebow when he spent that Summer preforming circumcisions .
Art Vandelay
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
Matt Stafford = Ryan Leaf
AlwaysAVol
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
Yeah, like the negative publicity could make the Lions any worse or do any more damage than 0 – 16. Maybe Matt will urn out to be another Broadway Joe. Or another Senator Gary Hart. Who knows.
Huh?
July 31st, 2009
4:31 pm
I’d say based on those photos that Stafford does in fact have the “IT factor.” Dear lord. You go my man.
A 21 year old male that enjoys the company of beautiful women? What is the world coming to? I think that finger is directed at you and your media cronies Jeff. Nothing personal I’m sure.
David
July 31st, 2009
4:31 pm
The girls in those pix are his girlfriend and some of her friends. He did nothing wrong and this is a non-story.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
July 31st, 2009
4:37 pm
I was jealous as well Jeff….I’m over weight…the camera hates me…and those girls wouldn’t give a first look..nor a 2nd….BUT…I CAN shoot a better bird than Stafford…more practice I guess
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
July 31st, 2009
4:50 pm
I am pisssed…when I was 21 I was stationed in Germany hooking up with girls with hairy arm pits and body oder…I am outraged..damn you Stafford…..
Jethro Tull
July 31st, 2009
5:00 pm
Fatford is a punk. Always has been and always will be. Little stunts like this (his inability to recognize the awareness Mr Shultz mentioned) will catch up with him.
Used to get drunk in Athens bars, talk like a ghetto gangster, start fights and flee, etc, etc.
A 5* bust who couldn’t even win his division a single time. Mutts lose again. I can’t wait to watch him flop.
JST
July 31st, 2009
5:13 pm
Jethro — Life treating you pretty poorly huh? Sucks to be you, I am sure. Now got steal one of daddy’s magazines and work it out like Matt was able to do — only he had the real deal and you just have….well you….loser.
Marie
July 31st, 2009
5:15 pm
Poor Jeff it must be hard being you some days; I READ from the beginning of the article you can clearly understand the man having some fun in the sun with a group of good looking chicks (having seen the picture so I am not seconding the motion that they are). And your only point you’re making is he needs to be careful of having cameras around when he’s out having fun.
Yet most of these folks want to jump all over you as if you are criticizing the Matty S for having fun with a few babes. HE”S NOT PEOPLE!!! READ the freakin article carefully, digest his words and meaning carefully and then make a comment.
BTW guys does anyone elese think that with the glasses and the balding head that Jeff looks like Tony Kornheiser from PTI. Sorry Jeff I just had to say it.
RMP
July 31st, 2009
5:25 pm
Stafford will be a huge bust in the NFL. Just like he was in college. Can you imagine Tim Tebow appearing in these photos. Winners and Losers. It is what life is all about.
C. Strickland
July 31st, 2009
5:33 pm
I wrote this blog. Jeff’s taking a break.
falconssfaninga
July 31st, 2009
5:39 pm
falcons fan you are an idiot—- stafford on a boat with beautiful women enjoying the sunshine — tell me what is wrong with that… and you mention culpepper on a boat yrs ago or vick in the limo ( well dumn#@% : culpepper was on a boat with a bunch of strippers plying their trade— vick on the other hand is holding a marijuana cig… ) once again blinded by the what is and against the law…
do you not respect the law and what is right and wrong or are you just color blind to it all…
falcons fan give it a rest you are a blatant racist, go crawl under a rock and leave us alone… oh yea learn proper english before you start spouting off…
later
falconssfaninga
July 31st, 2009
5:42 pm
stafford a bust—– you obviously have no clue there rmp… your comment about tebow is even funnier ( he isnt even an nfl caliber quarterback for christ’s sake… maybe tightend or fullback—not a quarterback…
stafford will be a fine nfl qb mark my words…
Dawgman566
July 31st, 2009
6:03 pm
Maybe he can’t hit the open reciever every time, but I’ll bet he hitting some of that every night.
FRED
July 31st, 2009
6:21 pm
LET HIM ENJOY HIMSELF. I LIKE THE KID BUT, I DO NOT THINK HE IS IN FOR A GOOD TIME IN THE NFL. JUST DON’T THINK HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES.
count_schemula
July 31st, 2009
6:42 pm
What Vick and Lienart and Russel and Young all failed to realize is that when you are given 10s of millions of dollars… you become a small corporation with a brand and a product and all that. So if things do not go well, you are known as a party boy and seen as not taking your responsibilities seriously. Matt Ryan was not an accident, he’s just a solid investment. Stafford may rock it out and rule the league this year, but ask anyone who has tried it… it’s hard to burn it both ends.
coachgb
July 31st, 2009
6:45 pm
It’s getting to the point that even the bottom of the birdcage is too good for the print media in this town. I’m jealous that I can’t get paid for writing such non-stories!
UGA student
July 31st, 2009
6:51 pm
FYI the blonde girl he is carrying and is with him in most of the pictures is a UGA cheerleader and last i have heard his girlfriend so don’t hate on him for having a little fun before he realizes that football is now his job not a sport he plays
Steak Shapiro
July 31st, 2009
6:53 pm
It just means he’s a guys guy kind of guys guy guys guy’s kind of you know guy’s guy.
Island Dawg
July 31st, 2009
7:03 pm
So Stafford is straight, big news. Who cares?
Kent Brockman
July 31st, 2009
7:13 pm
I guess you could say…. this barely qualifies as news.
Dawg'94
July 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
Was this article really worth writing?
gratefuldawghead
July 31st, 2009
7:22 pm
count_shemule ever hear about a Super Bowl QB named Kenny “The Snake” Stabler? Burned it at both ends and put a ring on it!!!!
Drago
July 31st, 2009
7:47 pm
Hey Schultz, Loved you in Cabin Boy
C. Strickland
July 31st, 2009
7:53 pm
Hey Jeff, you and Bradley should give some thought to what this blogging thing is doing for your careers. This is pure junk! Bill King is actually better than than either of you.
T
July 31st, 2009
8:35 pm
Now remind me again… why do we care what Stafford is doing??? Come on Mr. Goatman, go find some news.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
July 31st, 2009
8:35 pm
I’m not at all surprised by this.
ATL Steve
July 31st, 2009
8:40 pm
I think of the song by Jay-Z…”Big Pimpin!” Stafford will be fine…he is supposed to have a life off of the field. Let him live!
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2009
9:05 pm
Sorry haven’t been commenting, folks. Was interviewing/reporting/writing a Braves column that’s now posted . . .
Dawg – like I said, I’d be doing the same thing (without the photog).
JST, Others – I thought I was pretty careful about not making this seem like a MAJOR incident. But like I wrote, somebody in his position has to be careful about things because, yes, image is important – and the fact that this has happened twice might say something. Of course, we won’t really know that for a while.
ESPN Bias – A friend of his (and mine) told me “the blonde is his girlfriend.” My response was, “Which blonde?”
GaCracker – I feel what your saying. I’d love that kind of pressure too.
Herschel – I was supposed to fast again?
Evil Richt – Yes. So nice of Matt to tend to the homeless blondes of the Virgin Islands.
All I’m Saying is – OK, dude. Who are you and what have you done to the real All I’m Saying Is?
Bob Horner – I’m sure you can shoot a wonderful bird. It’s an acquired skill.
C. Strickland – Somehow I get the feeling this isn’t really you. But nice try, kid.
Pit Bull
July 31st, 2009
9:07 pm
Stafford needed another year in the SEC to learn all he could before going to the NFL. Now he deserves whatever comes his way good or bad. When you make your bed you have to sleep in it.
Jack G.
July 31st, 2009
9:12 pm
FALCON’S SORRY
Live by the sword die by the sword. Live with the race card die by the race card
Grow up and be a part of the human race and quit trying to get special treatment for being a raciest
Denver Dog
July 31st, 2009
9:53 pm
He is a great young man, and we will see if he has the right stuff. Kind of like Obama being a Reagan or a Carter. Stafford will either be a Ryan Leaf or a Peyton Mannning
Yellowblood
August 1st, 2009
1:15 am
I wish he would come to one of our Tickle Piles!!!
BEATDOWN BY THE HEDGES
August 1st, 2009
1:59 am
45-42. THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT
JimmyC
August 1st, 2009
7:24 am
Jeffy…i wouldn’t call this innocent, unless you think that OJ was innocent. I would call this guilty of being immature. There is nothing wrong with having fun. There is nothing wrong with partying. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your money. BUT, if you are a starting QB in the NFL and still acting like a frat boy then you are destined for failure in the NFL. I don’t care that he’s hanging with multiple blondes. I just hate seeing the smug frat boy look on his face and feel bad that in a few months, behind a weak Detroit line, he wont be bumping a_ _es with two blondes but laying on his own. The boy better get serious or he is going to be seriously hurt.
DamYankee
August 1st, 2009
7:28 am
Is there a real boob in the bunch (besides Matt)? I thought silicone was bad for your health (oh, wait, that was ten years ago).
Spike
August 1st, 2009
8:08 am
This is about the lamest article you have ever written. Thats about thirty seconds of my life I will never get back.
Brett Favre
August 1st, 2009
8:38 am
mmmm…I did the same thing when I was a rookie. Worked out for me.
Dawg'88
August 1st, 2009
11:51 am
I am disappointed in MS and not at surprised people here somewhat condone his actions. First he shoots a bird which of course means …”insert nasty f word you” and then sits there drinking and hanging out with immorally dressed women. I guess I’m just old school but if those were my daughters I’d be embarrassed and angry that they would choose to degrade themselve. If MS were my son, I’d also be shaking my head, angry and disappointed that only 3-4 months into his “career” he already can’t understand what image means. He may succeed in the NFL but (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) JS is right…he is immature and has alot to learn about what it means to be moral. This is not a good start in any way. Sad. Relativism and secularism win out again in the battle for souls. Start over Matthew…its more important than the $$$ and fame. You can’t it with you!
Hawkinsville Dawg
August 1st, 2009
12:10 pm
You know what the press is saying about all of Georgia Tech’s first round draft picks? Absolutely nothing.
KJ
August 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
i didn’t realize this many Puritans had internet access. Who knew. Of course, many of them are just pathetic jealous locust fans like Jethro Tool, but still.
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen evidence of Namath, Eli Manning, Romo and others in similar situations, we can only hope Stafford achieves that level of “failure”.
Saturday (8/1) reading « The Chapel Bell
August 1st, 2009
7:03 pm
[...] AJC columnist Jeff Schultz writes that former Georgia QB Matthew Stafford still has a lot to learn. [...]
Dan A.
August 2nd, 2009
10:14 am
Schultz, I think you’re missing something here. Does Matt Ryan strike you as a guy who has ever been popular with the ladies? No offense to Matt, I’m a huge Falcons fan and I love Matt Ryan… but he’s the guy you’d more expect to spend his weekend hanging out at home rather than at the lake with a bunch of beautiful girls. Stafford is from the South where we have beautiful women and kickass parties on the lake. Ryan is from Philly where they wear lots of clothes and drink in bars populated by mostly men. Likewise is Flacco. I think if either of those guys had engaged in events such as this, you would have seen photos. Big deal. I don’t think it means anything.
just like last year
August 2nd, 2009
4:19 pm
dog throin to a Jacket