Matthew Stafford's MVP just put him on an exclusive list in Georgia program history

It went down to the wire. While it will go down as one of the most controversial NFL MVP awards ever handed out, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford beat out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by one first-place vote. Much will be made about the voting process, as the NFL has made a mess of things of late. However, Stafford has just accomplished something amazing.

On Thursday night, Stafford became only the fourth player in Georgia football history to win NFL MVP.

For those who are unfamiliar, here is every former Georgia football star who went on to win NFL MVP.

Stafford joins two Pro Football Hall of Famers in Fran Tarkenton and Terrell Davis and a Heisman Trophy winner in Frank Sinkwich as the only former Georgia stars to win NFL MVP. When discussing the likes of Davis, Sinkwich, and Tarkenton, they are revered in football lore in both college and pro. Stafford has unofficially crossed that threshold. We will be talking about him in the same regard, too.

It took a minute, but Stafford has become one of the greatest former Georgia stars in NFL history.

Matthew Stafford joins elite Georgia company after winning NFL MVP

Let's be real. For as complicated as Stafford's football legacy is, it has been absolutely wonderful to finally see him put his undeniable talent together and win prolifically the last few seasons with the Rams. Without question, he was the most physically gifted quarterback to ever star Between the Hedges. While he was certainly good in Athens, his greatness has been outshined by other guys.

After three years at Georgia, Stafford earned the right to be the No. 1 overall pick by the laughable Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. He battled his tail off, helping this former NFC North doormat make a few playoff berths. Then in his 30s, he was traded to the Rams in a package deal that sent Jared Goff to Detroit. It has worked out quite well for both parties, but Stafford is the hall of famer...

Throughout his pro career, the numbers have always been there for Stafford. The winning would come and go, but it took a while for the accolades to pile up. In the end, he is going to have a bronze bust in Canton as one of the all-time greats. Although may be not a first-ballot hall of famer, Stafford's rightful place in Canton will make fans of the Dawgs, Lions, and Rams immensely proud nevertheless.

Congratulations on this historic achievement, and may the Rams bounce back even better next year!