Who Is Matthew Stafford’s Wife, Kelly Stafford?
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From College Sweethearts to NFL’s Power Couple: The Story of Matthew and Kelly Stafford
LOS ANGELES – While Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is known for his arm strength and on-field leadership, those who truly know him say his greatest strength lies off the field – in the unwavering support of his wife, Kelly Stafford. Their story, spanning from college classrooms to Super Bowl victories, is one of enduring partnership, navigating life’s challenges, and building a family that remains firmly grounded amidst the whirlwind of professional football.
A Bulldog Romance: The Early Years
Their connection began at the University of Georgia, where both Matthew and Kelly were students. Matthew quickly rose to prominence as a freshman quarterback, becoming the first true freshman to start for the Georgia Bulldogs since 1998. Kelly, meanwhile, pursued a degree in nursing, a path that would later prove invaluable as the family faced unforeseen health hurdles. The couple’s relationship blossomed during their time in Athens, laying the foundation for a future built on mutual respect and shared dreams.
“It’s funny looking back,” Kelly recounted in an interview with People magazine, “I actually dated one of his teammates first! But Matthew was always the one.”
Building a Family and Facing Adversity
The couple married in April 2015, and soon began building their family. Daughters Sawyer and Chandler arrived in 2017, followed by Hunter in 2018 and Tyler in 2020. The joy of parenthood, however, was soon tested. In 2019, Kelly received a diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor. The news sent shockwaves through their lives, forcing them to confront a daunting medical journey.
Kelly bravely documented her experience on social media, sharing the challenges of diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. Her openness resonated with many, offering a glimpse into the realities of living with a brain tumor and the importance of a strong support system. The surgery, a 12-hour procedure, was ultimately successful, but the experience profoundly shaped their perspective on life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
Beyond the Sidelines: Kelly’s Voice and Advocacy
Kelly Stafford is far more than just an NFL wife. She’s a registered nurse, a mother of four, and a powerful voice in her own right. In 2021, she launched The Morning After, a podcast where she candidly discusses motherhood, marriage, and the challenges of navigating life in the public eye. The podcast quickly gained a loyal following, praised for its honesty and relatable content. She recently took a temporary break from the podcast to prioritize her mental health, a decision she openly discussed with her listeners, further solidifying her commitment to authenticity.
Her advocacy extends beyond her podcast. Following the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory in 2022, Kelly fiercely defended Matthew against criticism questioning his Hall of Fame potential. “Can y’all just let him enjoy this?!” she wrote on Instagram, passionately defending her husband’s accomplishments.
The Power of Partnership in a High-Pressure World
The Staffords’ story offers a compelling look at the dynamics of a modern NFL family. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 47.8% of married-couple families with children under 18 have both parents employed, highlighting the increasing demands on modern families. The Staffords navigate these demands with a clear division of labor and a deep commitment to supporting each other’s goals.
Matthew consistently credits Kelly and their daughters as his biggest motivators. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” he told People magazine. Kelly, in turn, describes Matthew as her “rock,” a constant source of strength and stability. Their relationship serves as a powerful reminder that even in the high-pressure world of professional sports, the foundation of a strong family can provide the unwavering support needed to thrive.
NEED TO KNOW
- Matthew Stafford married his college sweetheart, Kelly Stafford, in 2015
- The Los Angeles Rams quarterback and podcast host have four daughters
- Matthew and Kelly have been open about their lives, including when she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor
When he’s not scoring touchdowns as a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford is sharing touching moments with his wife, Kelly Stafford, who he has been with since college.
The couple met while attending the University of Georgia and later married in 2015. Since then, they’ve welcomed four daughters: twins Sawyer and Chandler, Hunter and Tyler.
Matthew’s wife and kids are his biggest cheerleaders and are often seen encouraging him at football games. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” Matthew told PEOPLE in February 2022.
A year later, Kelly expressed similar sentiments on Instagram, calling Matthew her “rock.”
“Having someone you can always depend on is one of the most underrated things in this life,” she wrote in honor of his 35th birthday. “We are so incredibly lucky to have you as our rock … someone we can always lean on, snuggle with, make us feel safe and be our comfort.”
So who is Matthew Stafford’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Kelly Stafford and her relationship with the NFL star.
She’s met Matthew at the University of Georgia
Kelly Stafford Instagram
Matthew and Kelly have known each other since college. They both studied at the University of Georgia, where Matthew became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Georgia Bulldogs since 1998.
During her time at the school, Kelly studied nursing and became a registered nurse in 2014, sharing the news that she’d passed her exam on Instagram.
She married Matthew in 2015
Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty
After dating for several years, Matthew and Kelly wed in April 2015.
At the time, Kelly posted a photo from their wedding day on Instagram of her in a white wedding dress.
Nearly eight years later, she shared videos of the special occasion and recapped it on her podcast, The Morning After.
“All I see when I watch this is the man I love and how lucky I am to have a partner who is not only an incredible husband but also a patient, loving father,” Kelly wrote in May 2023.
When they celebrated 10 years of marriage in April 2025, she marked the milestone by sharing some advice with her The Morning After listeners.
“You can’t expect the person you marry at 25 to be the exact same person at 45. People evolve, priorities shift, and life circumstances change,” she said. “The most successful couples are the ones who adapt and grow together.”
She and Matthew have four daughters
Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty
The pair have four children together — all girls.
Identical twins Sawyer and Chandler arrived in March 2017, then Hunter in August 2018, followed by Tyler in June 2020.
The proud mom often shares snaps of her family on social media.
In January 2024, all four girls wished their dad good luck with sideline hugs ahead of the Rams versus the Detroit Lions playoff game.
Kelly’s brother is a former NFL player and now coach
Kelly Stafford Instagram
Matthew isn’t the only NFL pro with whom Kelly has a close tie.
Her brother, Chad Hall, is an assistant quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants. Before starting the position in 2025, he was part of the coaching staff at the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, according to his bio.
Hall is a former NFL player himself. He was a wide receiver from 2011 to 2013 with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
She had a brain tumor removed in 2019
Kelly Stafford Instagram
In April 2019, Kelly shared in an Instagram post revealing that she’d been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, an acoustic neuroma, and would be undergoing surgery.
“Within the last year, I began to notice things that I thought was just me getting older … Things that I had been doing my entire life were now, all of a sudden, difficult,” she shared in the caption, also explaining that she’d experienced several spells of vertigo.
Later the same month, Kelly posted on Instagram that she underwent a 12-hour operation to remove the brain tumor and was in recovery. The operation was scheduled to last for six hours, but after the surgeon found an “abnormal” vein in her skull, the procedure took longer than expected.
She started The Morning After podcast in 2021
Kelly Stafford/Instagram
Kelly launched her podcast, The Morning After, in September 2021. For two years, it was a solo endeavor until she brought on reporter Hank Winchester as a co-host.
More recently, in October 2025, Kelly announced that she was taking a break from the audio show to focus on her mental health, coinciding with the NFL’s midseason.
“I started this podcast to kind of build this community, a community that accepts failure and supports each through it instead of judging,” she said, per the New York Post. “I feel like we can all lean on each other now. I leaned on you guys, i hope that you leaned on this podcast, either for laughter or just to realize that not everything is perfect and it doesn’t have to be.”
Kelly added, “I just think I need to take a step back and kind of figure out what the plan is. I’m not saying this is over. I really need a second.”
She defended Matthew after 2022 Super Bowl criticism
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP
Like other elite athletes, Matthew has occasionally faced criticism from fans, and Kelly has been by his side, offering him support.
According to E! News, after the Rams won the 2022 Super Bowl, some started to question whether Matthew could make it into the Hall of Fame.
Kelly responded to his critics on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Can y’all just let him enjoy this?!”
She continued, “It went from Matthew can’t win, to Matthew can’t win against winning teams, to Matthew can’t win big games, to Matthew can’t win playoff games, to Matthew can’t win it all … And now … the debate on the HOF?”
After Matthew’s big win, Kelly also posted sweet photos of the couple kissing on Instagram with the caption, “My Champion.”