Kelly Stafford Opens Up About Life After Brain Tumor Surgery: “I’ve Never Been the Same”

Back in 2019, Kelly Stafford, wife of NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford, faced a life-altering diagnosis when doctors discovered she had an acoustic neuroma—a rare, non-cancerous brain tumor that impacts hearing and balance. She first noticed something was off during a playful moment with her daughters. While demonstrating a simple front roll, she experienced sudden dizziness.

“I was just doing a forward roll to show the girls, and everything started spinning,” Kelly recalled.

As time went on, her symptoms intensified. In a particularly frightening incident, she became disoriented while holding their child, Hunter, and had to quickly hand him to Matthew before collapsing. That moment pushed Matthew to insist she get medical attention, which ultimately led to the tumor being found.

In April 2019, Kelly underwent a complex 12-hour brain surgery to remove the tumor. While the operation was successful and likely saved her life, it left her with long-term challenges.

“I haven’t been the same since,” she admitted. “I still struggle with balance because my brain now relies only on one side to stay centered. I also lost partial hearing in my right ear.”

Despite these difficulties, Kelly says she’s thankful the procedure didn’t affect her sense of taste or smell—something she cherishes as a food lover.

Matthew Stafford’s Career Status and Family Life

While Kelly continues to move forward in her personal and professional life, questions have surrounded Matthew Stafford‘s career with the Los Angeles Rams. Speculation about a potential trade recently made headlines, with both the team and Stafford’s camp seemingly using the media to strengthen their positions in ongoing contract talks.

That uncertainty was finally resolved when the Rams and Stafford agreed to a restructured deal, confirming he’ll remain in Los Angeles through at least the 2025 season.

Kelly and Matthew’s story began during their college years at the University of Georgia between 2006 and 2008. At the time, Matthew was the team’s quarterback, and Kelly was a cheerleader. Football runs deep in her family—her brother, Chad Hall, is a former NFL player and currently serves as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants. Having grown up in that environment, Kelly was well-prepared for the demands and sacrifices of a football-centered life.