Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford began throwing almost three weeks ago, two months after having shoulder surgery. Evidently, things are progressing so well in his rehab that Stafford plans to air it out for his alma mater this weekend.
The University of Georgia says Stafford and other former Bulldogs quarterbacks will take part in a skills competition during halftime of UGA’s spring football game Saturday.
At halftime of G-Day [the culmination of the football team’s spring practices], former Bulldogs David Greene, D.J. Shockley, Matthew Stafford and Zeier will participate in the Legends Quarterbacks Challenge. The quarterbacks can earn points for various skills. A contestant paired with the winning quarterback will have an opportunity to make a 25-yard pass into a barrel to win $25,000 to be split by the contestant and the Johnathan Taylor Fund.
Contestants can bid for a chance to be in the contest and catch passes from Stafford, David Greene or Eric Zeier. The Detroit News reports that the high bid to be Stafford’s partner in the contest is $350.
Gregg Rosenthal joked at Pro Football Talk that Lions coach Jim Schwartz should get into the bidding, win the auction, and make sure that Stafford doesn’t throw in the contest. (Or maybe Stafford wouldn’t be allowed to throw to Schwartz, because that would make the contest an OTA, which isn’t allowed during the NFL lockout.) There’s also a chance that Stafford will opt not to throw in the contest, and just make an appearance as a former Georgia quarterbacking star.
So if you’re down in Athens this weekend and get a chance to check out Georgia’s spring game, let us know how Stafford looks. (Hopefully, Stafford will also give us a first-hand account on Twitter.)