Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback and ex-Detroit Lions star Matthew Stafford, has broken her silence regarding the sudden absence of Hank Winchester, her co-host and close friend, from their podcast The Morning After.
On the latest episode, Kelly acknowledged the noticeable changes to the show in recent weeks. “TMA’s been looking a little different lately,” she remarked, without directly referencing the controversy surrounding Winchester. The Detroit-based journalist is currently under external investigation following allegations that he made inappropriate sexual advances toward a male massage therapist. He has been placed on administrative leave from WDIV, where he works as a consumer affairs reporter.
Kelly didn’t delve into specifics, simply attributing the changes to a busy summer. “I’ve been traveling a lot, and Hank is going through some personal matters,” she explained, asking for continued support and patience from listeners. “The NFL season is nearly here, and I’m sure you’ll be hearing plenty from us again soon.”
Whether she was hinting at Winchester’s eventual return remains uncertain. His attorney previously issued a strong denial of the allegations, characterizing them as baseless. No legal charges have been filed to date.
According to local reports, Winchester had been pursuing training in massage therapy. On June 13, local authorities executed a search warrant at his Detroit-area home, confiscating electronic devices. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed their involvement in the search operation, which was coordinated with local law enforcement.
WDIV released a brief statement acknowledging awareness of the investigation and confirmed that Winchester is on leave pending further developments. “We will not be commenting further until the matter is resolved,” said station manager Bob Ellis.
Winchester, an Emmy-winning journalist, has been part of WDIV since 2001. He currently leads the “Help Me Hank” unit, dedicated to addressing consumer complaints, exposing scams, and reporting product recalls. He’s also known for his community engagement, having collaborated with the Detroit Pistons to develop school facilities at Thurgood Marshall Elementary.
Originally from Michigan, Winchester graduated from Central Michigan University and built his media career through positions across the state and in Miami before settling at WDIV. He is a devoted father and often speaks on the podcast about life with his young daughter, Emma.
Kelly Stafford, who is a registered nurse and mother of four, co-hosts the show with Winchester. The two are described in the show’s bio as longtime friends navigating the public eye and parenthood. The podcast blends personal stories from their lives in sports and media with humor and heartfelt reflection.
