Kelly Stafford, wife of NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford, recently stirred controversy after sharing a personal anecdote on a podcast.
Kelly revealed that during her husband’s time playing at the University of Georgia, she dated his backup quarterback to make Matthew jealous.
This revelation has drawn significant attention, including from ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who publicly questioned the wisdom of her disclosure.
Kelly recounted on the podcast, “At first, I hated him. I loved him. I dated the backup to [expletive] him off, which worked.”
She described how dating the backup, who was the antithesis of Matthew’s “sweet and Southern gentleman” persona, successfully irritated him.
Stephen A. Smith attacks Kelly Stafford
Stephen A. Smith did not hold back in his criticism. Addressing Kelly directly, he asked, “If you are Mrs. Stafford, what could possibly make you think that it is okay for you to go home, after revealing to the public, I kicked it with his backup? What possible advantage could you peel from that?”
The story has not only sparked Smith’s ire but also made many NFL fans uncomfortable. The public revelation of such a personal matter led to widespread discussion about the appropriateness and potential impact on Matthew Stafford’s image and career.
Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Kelly and Matthew Stafford appear to remain unfazed. Kelly posted a recent photo of the couple looking happy together.
Married since 2015, they share four children and seem to maintain a strong relationship despite the controversy.
The incident highlights the potential pitfalls of sharing private details in public forums, especially when those details involve notable public figures like NFL players.
Stephen A. Smith‘s reaction underscores the broader sentiment of many who question the necessity and impact of such disclosures on personal and professional relationships.