How Lions blew another late lead in season opener

Jeff Seidel | Detroit Free Press

Jack Doles

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Bobblehead Matt Stafford is having one heck of a Winter Olympic experience; and the best part is, his head hasn't popped off, not yet.

Bobblehead Matt, as his close friends call him, has posed for a picture with Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard.

He has taken a bullet train through South Korea.

Chilled with South Korean men’s hockey coach Jim Paek.

Did a selfie with ice dancers Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, who represent the Lansing Skating Club.

More 2018 Winter Olympics:

And taken a picture with the shirtless Tongan flag guy. For the record, Bobblehead Matt kept his Detroit Lions jersey on.

“It’s been fun,” said Jack Doles, the sports anchor at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, who brought Bobblehead Matt along with him to Korea. "Some people think it’s corny but some people love it. It has made the experience more fun."

Leon Halip, Getty Images

Doles is the first to admit that he brought Bobblehead Matt along as a social media prop, a bit of plastic shtick that's been quite the hit.

“I was looking for a social media hook,” said Doles, who is working his 10th Olympic Games and happens to be one of the nicest guys in the business. “I needed something that might get people’s interest. Frankly, I’m not Mr. Social Media. As I was trying to think of an idea, there was Bobblehead Matt. I thought, ‘That’s it. I will take him to the Olympics with me.'”

Doles carries Bobblehead Matt around in a box in his backpack.

In case you were wondering, we are told that Bobblehead Matt is one of the highest-paid bobbleheads in the world. No longer No.1, but still raking in the plastic.

“This morning, I was walking through Olympic Park and there was Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue," Doles said, "and he actually took a selfie with Bobblehead Matt.”

Nobody has refused to take the picture, although Doles chickened out before asking former Red Wings great Chris Chelios.

“I couldn’t muster up the courage to ask him,” Doles said. “It’s awkward to ask somebody to pose with your bobblehead doll."

No truer words have ever been spoken.

Also, here is a bit of breaking news: When Bobblehead Matt was asked his thoughts about new Lions coach Matt Patricia, he kept nodding his head in agreement.

So the @lions are introducing Matt Patricia as their new head coach. I asked Bobblehead Matt Stafford if he liked the hire. pic.twitter.com/CedWWt7XgS — Jack Doles (@jackdoles) February 7, 2018

Now, don’t get the wrong impression.

This has been no easy trip.

Getting from one place to another, as a member of the media, is not always smooth and easy.

And Bobblehead Matt has taken a beating.

Which is nothing new, of course.

Not behind some of the offensive lines the real Stafford has played behind in Detroit.

“I think he’s taken more hits than the actual Matt Stafford,” Doles said. “I’ve got some bubble wrap around him. So far, the head hasn’t come off."

Stafford, I’m certain, is happy about that.

You never want to hear about your head popping off. Real or otherwise.

Karma and all.