Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, recently gave an honest take on the realities of marriage, challenging the public’s perception of their seemingly ideal relationship.
Speaking candidly on the April 3 episode of her podcast The Morning After, the 35-year-old mother of four admitted, “Marriage is incredibly difficult.” She added bluntly, “Anyone who says otherwise isn’t being honest.”
Kelly and Matthew, who first met at the University of Georgia, have been together for over ten years and are raising four daughters: 8-year-old twins Sawyer and Chandler, 6-year-old Hunter, and 4-year-old Tyler.
Discussing the evolution of their relationship, Kelly explained how priorities shift once children enter the picture. “Suddenly, someone else comes first. Then you have kids, and life just keeps piling on more complexity,” she said, noting their marriage has endured “plenty of highs and lows,” particularly since the beginning. “That first year was especially rough,” she admitted.
A major turning point for the couple came when Matthew was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, transitioning from college football to the pro level.
“It wasn’t that he changed who he was,” Kelly noted. “His core personality and how he treats others stayed the same. But I had to adjust to seeing the lively, carefree Matthew become the more serious, professional version of himself.”
This shift didn’t just impact Matthew’s career—it also altered Kelly’s lifestyle. “All of a sudden, the things I loved—like dancing at bars—weren’t part of our world anymore,” she shared. “That was a real adjustment. I had to make peace with those changes and choose to stand by him through them.”
At certain low points, she even found herself questioning, “Why is this happening to me?”
Despite the obstacles, Kelly and Matthew have remained committed to each other, acknowledging that while their bond is strong, it’s far from flawless.
