After the Los Angeles Rams fell 31–27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship on Sunday night, Matthew Stafford’s Super Bowl dreams came to an abrupt end. But once the final whistle blew, the veteran quarterback immediately stepped back into his most important role — dad.

Following the emotional loss, Stafford returned home to his wife, Kelly, and their four daughters in the early hours of Monday morning. Kelly later shared a deeply personal glimpse of that moment on her Instagram Stories, offering fans a rare look at how the quarterback processed defeat away from the spotlight.

“After giving everything he had and falling short, this was Matthew at 2:30 a.m.,” Kelly wrote alongside the video.

The short clip showed Stafford quietly moving from room to room, gently kissing two of his daughters as they slept in one bedroom before heading to another room, where his other two girls rested in bunk beds. He softly kissed each of them goodnight before leaving without waking them.

The Staffords have often spoken about the sacrifices their children make during the NFL season. Matthew and Kelly share four daughters — eight-year-old twins Chandler and Sawyer, seven-year-old Hunter, and five-year-old Tyler — who spend much of the year watching their father travel and compete.

The morning after the loss, Stafford found a small but meaningful way to say thank you. He surprised his girls with donuts, writing a heartfelt message on the box that read: “Thank you for being such ROCKSTARS all season! You were the inspiration behind daddy’s incredible year. We love you!”

Kelly shared a photo of the donuts as well, adding her own message praising her daughters for their unwavering support and resilience.

Earlier that Sunday, the Stafford family had continued their longtime game-day tradition. Kelly and the girls walked the sideline before kickoff, greeting Matthew with hugs and kisses to wish him luck ahead of the championship matchup.

As always, Kelly made sure the girls’ outfits stood out. While she wore a sleek black-and-white ensemble with coordinating shorts, the four girls were dressed in matching brown-and-white plaid coats adorned with football-themed patches and messages of support, including “I ♥ LA” and “Stafford.” The looks were completed with brown boots and oversized blue-and-yellow earmuffs, perfectly suited for the cold conditions.

Even after a devastating loss, the moment served as a reminder that football may end at the stadium — but family waits at home.