Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was the subject of a piece on ESPN's E:60 program, which chronicled his transition from a high school quarterback in Texas, all the way to being an NFL starting quarterback.

Stafford had a keen football mind and a strong arm from a young age and would frequently make long throws that would shock onlookers. He played in high school for Highland Park, a suburb of Dallas, which is the winningest program in Texas high school football. He started as a sophomore for the varsity squad, eventually winning a state championship and a high school player of the year award.

Stafford started at Georgia as a true freshman and declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year. He was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009, signing a six-year contract worth up to $78 million. It was at this point that Stafford first experienced failure at any level in football, and he has had to persevere through losing and injury struggles.

The 2012 season hasn't gone the way the Lions would have wanted, but it's undeniable that there's more hope for the team now than in a long time.