ALLEN PARK, Mich. – It probably seemed a little strange when Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford started bidding on the Monday Night Football ticket package that he had helped donate himself to the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital fund-raiser over the weekend.
Change of heart?
No, just a big heart.
Stafford bought his own package for the Lions-Bears game on October 22 at Soldier Field in Chicago back for $15,000 and then gave it to the family of a patient at the hospital whom he had met during the event’s gala dinner.
Stafford and his girlfriend, Kelly Hall, wanted to do something special for Dexter native Faith Falzone and her brother, Will, after spending time with them Saturday night. Faith is undergoing surgery this week, according to the Detroit News.
Stafford said he was moved by the family’s story and all that they’ve gone through, including Faith’s health problems.
The package, part of which was donated from ESPN broadcaster Mike Tirico, includes travel and six tickets to the game.
“It was a great cause,” said Stafford, who played in college at Georgia. “That hospital does a lot of great things.
"Just a great family. I got a chance to sit down and talk with them. They were at my table. I got to talk to Faith and Will. Felt like they deserved it. Will’s a big-time Lions fan. He said he’d love to go to a game once.
"I figured it would be a great opportunity to, No. 1, give back, but No. 2, give that family something to look forward to.”
The annual Mott Children's Hospital event, backed by former Wolverines Brian Griese, Steve Hutchinson and Charles Woodson, raised $1.35 million for the hospital this year and more than $5.5 million over the last six years.
