Kelly Stafford, the wife of Matthew Stafford, recently criticized members of the NFL media for what she considers a disrespectful mistake when referring to her husband.

The couple has been together since their college days at the University of Georgia. Kelly was a cheerleader while Stafford starred as the Bulldogs’ quarterback before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

They married in 2015 and now share four daughters while building their life around Stafford’s long NFL career, which includes a Super Bowl victory and a recent MVP season.

Kelly Stafford Says Media Calling Him “Matt” Is Disrespectful

During a recent Instagram Q&A, Kelly responded to a fan who asked whether it bothers her when people call her husband “Matt.”

Kelly explained that the nickname usually comes from people who don’t personally know the quarterback, but she finds it frustrating when members of the media make the same mistake.

“What gets me is that he’s been playing in the league now for close to two decades, and people who have jobs reporting on it still call him Matt,” Kelly said. “I find it highly disrespectful.”

Her comment reflects a long-standing belief that Stafford’s career achievements have often been underappreciated.

Although the quarterback’s full legal name is John Matthew Stafford, he has always gone by Matthew. For professional reporters covering the NFL, Kelly suggested that using the correct name should be a basic detail.

Rams Draft Ty Simpson to Learn Behind Matthew Stafford

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams made a surprising move in the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick.

The selection raised eyebrows because Stafford is coming off an MVP season and continues to play at a high level at age 38.

Head coach Sean McVay quickly clarified the situation, emphasizing that the team remains firmly led by Stafford. McVay said Simpson will compete with Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback role.

The Rams are also reportedly making strong progress on a contract extension that would keep Stafford in Los Angeles beyond the 2026 season, meaning Simpson is unlikely to start anytime soon.

Kelly Stafford has already welcomed the rookie to the organization. Simpson shared during his introductory press conference that Kelly reached out through Instagram to greet him and his family.

For now, Simpson’s main job will be learning from one of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks. That mentorship opportunity could prove valuable whenever the Rams eventually transition to the next era at quarterback.