Some love stories start with fireworks. Others? A little chaos, a dash of pettiness, and just enough drama to keep things interesting. Kelly Stafford’s romance with her now-husband, Rams QB Matthew Stafford, falls into the latter category. And let’s be real—it’s way more fun that way.

During her recent appearance on Lala Kent’s Give Them Lala podcast, Kelly dropped a bombshell about her early days with Matthew. Before they were a picture-perfect football power couple, their relationship had some serious turbulence. In fact, she once dated his backup quarterback just to get under his skin. “I hated him. I loved him.” And then the spicy part, “I dated the backup to piss him off,” she admitted. That’s next-level petty—and it worked. But, Matthew Stafford might have felt the pressure if you could have asked him at that time.

Back in their University of Georgia days, Matthew was the golden boy, slinging touchdowns while Kelly was living her best cheerleader life. But she wasn’t exactly swooning at first. “I really wasn’t expecting to fall for him, but he was so adorable, so witty, and constantly made me laugh,” she said. Still, that didn’t stop her from testing him. And the backup? Total opposite energy. “Matthew’s so sweet, a Southern gentleman and all that. The backup? Not so much,” she laughed.

Of course, Matthew wasn’t one to back down. Even after Kelly tried pushing him away, he stuck around—and let’s just say persistence paid off. But not without some wild moments first. “At one point, he waited and followed me out and got in my car and wouldn’t get out,” she recalled. That’s when she knew this thing wasn’t just a casual college thing.

Fast forward past the drama, Lala praised them for weathering the ups and downs. “So many people aren’t willing to evolve together,” she pointed out. Kelly agreed, crediting their open dialogue and shared stubbornness for keeping them strong.

And while football is technically Matthew’s day job, it’s also a bit of a relationship booster. “They show him in the huddle, and I’m like, ‘Whoa, this is a turn-on. Super hot’,” Kelly admitted, proving that the football field still has some unexpected sparks.

But beyond the game, Matthew’s biggest role is being a girl dad. Tender, sweet, and completely devoted to their daughters—that’s the side of him Kelly loves the most. And while their past might have been messy, their present? It’s as solid as a game-winning drive.

Kelly Stafford’s St. Patrick’s Day throwback proves the couple were the life of the party

Kelly Stafford hit us with a serious throwback this St. Patrick’s Day, reminding everyone that she and Matthew Stafford used to be the ultimate party duo. Taking to her Instagram story, she shared a wild pre-kid moment where Matthew—ever the MVP—was carrying her on his shoulders while she danced like there was no tomorrow. Dressed in green pants and a gray tee, Kelly looked totally in her element, while Matthew rocked a baseball cap and gray long-sleeve shirt, clearly up for the challenge. The pinkish-red lighting, bead necklaces, and overall vibe? Classic party scene.

Her caption, “Sometime before kids,” said it all. These days, the Staffords are busy raising their four daughters—twins Chandler and Sawyer, plus Hunter and Tyler—so wild nights have been swapped for bedtime routines and school runs. But if you think parenthood has made them boring, think again. Kelly constantly shares glimpses of their family life, from Matthew’s adorable girl-dad moments to their kids’ hilarious antics. The energy might have shifted, but their bond? Stronger than ever.

They stuck it out and tied the knot in 2015. Since then, they’ve been through it all—Matthew’s Super Bowl LVI win with the Rams, a big move from Detroit to L.A., and even Kelly’s health battle in 2019 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through it all, they’ve stayed solid, with Kelly always hyping up her man, whether it’s on game day or just a regular Tuesday.

Speaking of staying solid, Matthew really showed up when Kelly went through her 12-hour brain surgery. She’s once said that the experience changed their relationship, making them even stronger. “I saw a different side of him,” she admitted, recalling how he helped her relearn how to walk. That’s some real love right there.

Even with all the serious life moments, the Staffords have never lost their playful side—something this St. Patrick’s Day throwback proves. They might not be partying like they used to, but they still keep that fun energy alive. Whether it’s Kelly getting flirty over Matthew’s game-day huddle shots or them just being their goofy selves at home, they’re proof that the best relationships never lose that spark.