Kelly Stafford, wife of NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford, has sparked concern after posting a worrying health update months after stepping away from her podcast.
In October 2025, as the NFL season intensified, Kelly announced she would take a break from The Morning After podcast for mental health reasons. At the time, she explained that the decision was necessary to reset and refocus.
“I feel like we all can lean on each other now,” Kelly said during her final episode before the break. “I leaned on you guys, and I hope you leaned on this podcast… I just think I need to take a step back and figure out the plan. I’m not saying this is over. I really need a second.”
That break has continued into 2026, and now her latest update suggests she has been battling illness.
Kelly Stafford Reveals She’s Been Sick While Spending Time With Family
According to Marca’s SAM, Kelly recently shared a quiet family moment on her Instagram Story. The post showed Matthew Stafford cuddled on the couch with their daughters while Kelly filmed from beside them.
Her caption read:
“Been pretty sick… but got out of bed to snuggle and watch our new fav sport.”
The family was watching curling, a Winter Olympics sport often referred to as “chess on ice” because of its strategy-based gameplay. Despite feeling unwell and staying in bed, Kelly made the effort to spend time with her family, raising concern among fans about her health.
Kelly Stafford’s History With a Brain Tumor
Kelly Stafford’s health has been a public concern before. In January 2020, she began experiencing severe dizziness and vertigo. She later revealed that she nearly collapsed while holding her daughter and had to be helped by Matthew.
After multiple hospital visits and an MRI scan, doctors discovered an acoustic neuroma — a noncancerous brain tumor that affects cranial nerves and balance. The medical term for the condition is benign vestibular schwannoma.
Kelly underwent a 12-hour surgery in 2019 to remove the tumor. In April 2021, she shared that her scans were clear, marking two years since her diagnosis.
Fans Concerned Following Latest Update
While Kelly did not disclose the cause of her recent illness, her post has prompted concern from fans due to her medical history. With her podcast still on hiatus and her health reportedly declining, many are hoping for positive news soon.
Kelly Stafford has remained open about her health journey in the past, and supporters continue to send encouragement as she focuses on recovery and family time.




