When you are the number 1 draft pick, you have the hype but you also get the hypertension. Living up to the hype is no easy task, but the boy from Florida doesn’t enjoy doing easy things. We are talking about Matthew Stafford, who brought the Super Bowl title to the LA Rams after 20 years. He was not only the no.1 draft pick but also the fastest player in NFL history to reach 40,000 career passing yards. It’s important to remember that such amazing feats aren’t achieved single-handedly. You need a strong support system and in No. 9’s case; he had it in the form of his parents.

John Matthew Stafford was born on 7th February 1988 in Tampa, Florida to John and Margaret Stafford. Matthew had a genetic edge over his peers, as his father, John, was an athlete himself. Unlike the QB, John was a keen swimmer and swam for Florida State University. He was a regular on the team and often won honors for his university. The 76-year-old is as active today as he was ages ago. In April 2023, John Stafford won a US Master’s national title in the 1000-meter freestyle. I think it will be safe to say that Matthew will also be on the gridiron for quite a while.

And he did all this after suffering from a heart attack! Yes, John had a heart attack in 2021, following which his health deteriorated. But where there is a will, there is a way. He gradually worked hard and lost 30 pounds for the race. Following his career as a swimmer, John went on to work as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia. Then he got promoted and served as the head coach at Florida State University and Bolles University. The former no.1 pick’s father also has a daughter named Page. Now coming to the former Comeback Player of the Year’s mother.

Very little is known about Matthew’s mother, Margaret. She leads a very private life and stays away from the limelight. Margaret often supports her son from the stands and has been with him from the very start. Margaret helped her son in innumerable ways: from raising her to believing in her to building his confidence. She is the one person who has seen the QB’s entire journey.

It is said that it takes a village to raise a kid. And the village that raised the NFL superstar was surely a strong one. Later in life, Matthew made an addition to this village that helped him grow in the form of his wife, Kelly.

Matthew Stafford’s wife: Kelly Stafford

Everyone writes vows for their wedding, but very few people stick to them. And such is the story of Matthew and Kelly Stafford. The couple has been dating ever since the QB’s days at the University of Georgia. Kelly was a cheerleader for the University’s team and definitely one for Stafford. Surprisingly enough, Kelly is also the sister of Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver coach, Chandler Hall. Mrs. Stafford also hosts a podcast called The Morning After.

The couple has had their share of ups and downs but have been each other’s rock during those times. In 2019, Kelly had to undergo an intense 12-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor. The surgery was so intense that she had to learn to walk again and there was some concern she may permanently lose her hearing. But it was during this time that the QB threw all the love, support, and time he had towards his wife. I think it was these accurate throws of love and support that have helped her with her recovery.

Now the couple is living in LA with their four daughters. After all the turmoil, Matthew finally won the 2021 Super Bowl. Thus, with patience, passion, a good partner, and parents, everything can be done.