Former Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford wife Kelly Stafford Sends a Direct Message to NFL Refs About her husband
Kelly Stafford, wife of former Detroit Lions and current Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, has a pointed message for NFL referees.
Kelly, who often speaks candidly on her podcast, “The Morning After with Kelly Stafford & Hank,” shared her thoughts on the October 8 episode regarding how referees treat her husband, Matthew Stafford, on the field. Responding to a fan’s question about why Matthew, now with the Los Angeles Rams, seems to be frequently “kicked” in games without many roughing the passer penalties being called, Kelly had a strong opinion.
‘Matthew Doesn’t Seem to Get’ Roughing the Passer Calls
“I will say this: Matthew doesn’t seem to get those calls,” Kelly remarked. “There are quarterbacks who draw those penalties. Matthew has a reputation for being the tough guy in the league. In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘They must believe he’s tough enough to handle it.’”
While Pro Football Focus reported that Matthew had the third-highest number of roughing the passer penalties since 2010, he’s only received one such call in the Rams’ first five games this season, which might explain the fan’s observation.
Kelly also shared that seeing her husband take hits is increasingly difficult, especially now that he’s 36 years old.
“I’m a mess watching from upstairs because I know when he comes home, the bruises, the swelling—it’s a lot,” she said. “He’s not young anymore. Recovering from those hits is getting harder.”
‘Matthew’s Tough So They Just Don’t Call It’
Kelly returned to the roughing the passer topic, explaining that the penalty is supposed to be called when a defensive player makes illegal contact with a quarterback.
“This happens to Matthew a lot and it doesn’t get called: when a defender tackles him and lands with his full body weight on him,” she explained. “These guys chasing after quarterbacks are 275 pounds or more, and they’re incredible athletes. When they hit you with their full body weight on turf? That’s bone-shattering.”
She continued, “Matthew experienced that two weeks ago without a call. He said he felt his sternum crack… He looked at the ref and was like, ‘That felt like the guy’s entire body weight on me.’”
Kelly also suggested that some NFL quarterbacks might get more roughing the passer calls because they “sell it” better and make a bigger deal out of the hits to the referees.
“Maybe some quarterbacks get angry enough that the refs feel pressured,” she said. “I’m not sure. My take is, Matthew’s tough, so they just don’t call it.”
The Los Angeles Rams are on a bye week during Week 6. The team, currently 1-4, will resume play in Week 7 on Sunday, October 20, against the Las Vegas Raiders.
