Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford sparked buzz after sharing a sweet moment with his family on the sidelines—just days after his kids were in the hospital.
Matthew Stafford captured attention with a heartwarming moment shared with his family on the sidelines before the Los Angeles Rams’ NFL Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The video of the moment sparked mixed reactions online.
A netizen’s comment on Matthew Stafford’s sweet moment on the sideline with his family | Source: Facebook.com/SportsCenter
The wild card game was originally scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, but it was relocated to Arizona due to ongoing wildfires in Southern California.
Jonathan Greenard of the Minnesota Vikings and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams at the NFC Wild Card Playoff in Glendale, Arizona, on January 13, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
In the touching footage, Matthew was seen kneeling to hug and kiss his four daughters—twins Sawyer and Chandler, Hunter, and Tyler. He even let his youngest, Tyler, try on his football helmet before exchanging a sweet kiss with his wife, Kelly, and heading back to the field.
Matthew Stafford’s sweet family moment before the game, posted on January 13, 2025 | Source: x.com/SportsCenter
Netizens took to social media to share their thoughts on the video. Some questioned the timing of Matthew’s interaction with his family, “Needs to be focused..u can do that after the game lol [sic].”
Matthew Stafford’s sweet family moment before the game, posted on January 13, 2025 | Source: x.com/SportsCenter
Others referenced reports of the Stafford family’s recent health issues. “I thought the family was all sick with the flu and had moved out of the house so Matthew wouldn’t get sick? Now they all kiss germs all over him?” one user wrote.
Matthew Stafford’s sweet family moment before the game, posted on January 13, 2025 | Source: x.com/SportsCenter
Another skeptical viewer added, “So a day ago his kids are in the emergency room, hooked up to IV’s [sic] but they are on the sidelines tonight??? Sounds like a great way to avoid germs and heal!!! 🤔🤔🤔”
Matthew Stafford’s sweet family moment before the game, posted on January 13, 2025 | Source: x.com/SportsCenter
Another remarked, “Oh good they are out of the hospital!” More netizens praised Matthew Stafford for the heartwarming moment, highlighting their appreciation for seeing the human side of athletes.
Others admired his devotion to family, calling the interaction adorable and commending him for being a good family man. Some applauded the balance he displayed between preparing for a big game and prioritizing family, while others noted how the moment would create lasting memories for his children.
This moment aligns with a tradition for Stafford, who often embraces his family before games. Similar heartfelt scenes were captured in January 2024 and December 2023, highlighting his effort to prioritize family amidst his demanding NFL career.
The Stafford family’s appearance on the field followed a health scare earlier in the week. On January 11, Kelly shared details on Instagram Story about her children’s illness during a family trip to Arizona.
Posting a photo of two of her daughters in a hospital bed, Kelly wrote, “Last night was long. Back in beds and sleeping, everyone except Hunter. Feels like she drank a Celsius.”
In a separate update, Kelly shared a photo of the family walking together with Matthew, highlighting how excited the children had been to join their father on his work trip before their health scare unfolded.
Although Kelly didn’t share many details about the hospitalization, she posted updates showing the family together and in better health. She shared a video on her Instagram Story of her daughters riding a bus with their close companion. One of the kids could be seen holding a medical mask for oxygen.
“We made it on the bus,” Kelly wrote on the clip, suggesting relief after the ordeal.
Kelly Stafford’s video of her children inside a bus | Source: Instagram.com/kbstafford89
Later, Kelly posted a video showing a large group of people crossing the street, many holding brooms and cleaning tools. The text overlay read, “LA COMING TOGETHER,” accompanied by prayer hand emojis, emphasizing community unity.
At the bottom, Kelly added “Back home” with three red heart emojis, indicating that the family had returned to Los Angeles.
Kelly Stafford reshared a video from the Los Angeles Bucket List page | Source: Instagram.com/kbstafford89
As the Matthew and Kelly Stafford moves forward from a challenging week, their story resonates with fans as a testament to resilience and the enduring importance of family.
