Texas is currently facing the brutal force of nature. Floodwaters struck central Texas around midnight on July 4, catching many residents by surprise. While emergency crews quickly mobilized, the damage was already overwhelming by the time they arrived. The Hill Country was nearly submerged, with at least 119 people confirmed dead, according to reports.

One of the hardest-hit locations was Camp Mystic, a well-known summer retreat for girls. As floodwaters ravaged the region that fateful morning, the beloved 200-acre camp was unable to withstand the destruction.

Kerr County is in mourning, along with its residents and athletes. But grief extended beyond Texas natives. Athletes from across the country paid tribute to the victims, yet Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s response carried a more intimate tone.

Camp Mystic was the site of an especially painful loss, with 27 lives taken, including young campers and their counselors. The terrifying ordeal began with a deafening roar and chaos. Stafford, 37, may never have played in Texas, but he had a close connection to the area—his older sister Page once attended camp there, and their family lived in Dallas, just 300 miles away.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Matthew is the son of John and Margaret Stafford. His father, a swimmer, passed on strong athletic genes. From an early age, Matthew gravitated toward football and never wavered.

He climbed the ranks quickly, eventually becoming the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 40,000 passing yards. But more than his records, it’s his capacity for compassion that sets him apart.

Kelly Stafford, 36, voiced a concern that now echoes among many parents: are camps still safe for children? Following the July 4 tragedy, families across the country are now thinking twice before sending their children off to summer camp.