You see him on Sundays taking hits from 300-pound defensive linemen, but Matthew Stafford’s real challenge starts when he pulls into his driveway in Hidden Hills. It’s a world of glitter, tumbling mats, and the high-pitched energy of four young girls who honestly couldn't care less about his passer rating.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback has built a career on precision. However, raising Matthew Stafford kids requires a completely different playbook—one where patience is the primary skill and being "outnumbered" is just a Tuesday.
Meet the Stafford girls
Matthew and his wife, Kelly Stafford, didn't exactly have an easy road to parenthood. They’ve been remarkably open about their journey, which began with IVF treatments. It's a story many families relate to, especially when the end result is a house that never stays quiet for more than five minutes.
The roster looks like this:
- Sawyer and Chandler Stafford: The twins who started it all. Born in March 2017, these two are the leaders of the pack.
- Hunter Hope Stafford: Arrived in August 2018. If you follow Kelly on social media, you know "Huntie" is basically the family's resident firecracker.
- Tyler Hall Stafford: The "pandemic baby" born in June 2020, who officially cemented Matthew's status as the only male in a house of five women.
People always ask Matthew if he’s "trying for a boy." He’s heard it a thousand times. But he’s been pretty clear that he’s happy right where he is. He once mentioned in a Rams Q&A that having four daughters is the greatest part of his life because it’s taught him a level of patience he never knew he had.
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The health scares that changed everything
It hasn’t all been Super Bowl parades and confetti. In 2019, the family hit a wall when Kelly was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma—a slow-growing brain tumor.
She had to undergo a 12-hour surgery.
The recovery was brutal. Kelly had to relearn how to walk. She couldn't handle loud noises, which is nearly impossible in a house with three toddlers (at the time). Matthew had to step up in a way that had nothing to do with football. He even taught the girls to whisper around their mom so she could heal. That's the side of the "tough QB" people don't always see.
More recently, in early 2025, the family had another scare. Ahead of a Wild Card game, the twins, Sawyer and Chandler, ended up in the hospital. Kelly posted a photo of them in hospital beds, and while they eventually recovered and made it to a Waffle House for a post-discharge feast, it was a reminder that even NFL royalty deals with the flu and late-night ER runs just like everyone else.
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Raising athletes in a football family
The Stafford girls aren't just sitting on the sidelines. They are active. Like, really active. They take cheer and tumbling classes, following in Kelly’s footsteps (she was a cheerleader at the University of Georgia).
But they’re also carving out their own paths. Chandler apparently wants to be a soccer player. Sawyer is the artist of the group. Hunter is the one who actually watches the games and asks Matthew technical questions about what’s happening on the field. Imagine being 7 years old and breaking down film with a Super Bowl champion.
The family even invested in Angel City FC, the NWSL team in Los Angeles. Matthew and Kelly wanted their daughters to see powerful female athletes at the highest level. It’s a conscious effort to make sure the girls know that while Dad is famous for his arm, the world of sports belongs to them, too.
What most people get wrong about the Stafford lifestyle
There’s a misconception that it’s all glitz and $28 million mansions. While the "Matthew Stafford kids" certainly live a privileged life, their parents seem obsessed with keeping them grounded. Kelly often talks about the "teaching moments" they face, like when the girls were booed by Detroit fans during a return trip to Ford Field.
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Kelly used that as a lesson. She didn't want them to feel like victims; she wanted them to understand the passion (and sometimes the saltiness) of sports.
Life in the Stafford house is a mix of chaotic mornings, "Celsius-fueled" energy bursts, and the reality of a dad who works a very high-pressure job. Matthew has admitted that his younger teammates sometimes don't get his "dad" references. He’s in a different stage of life. While some players go out after games, he’s usually heading home to help with bedtime or hear about a first-grade art project.
Realities of the "Girl Dad" life
- The IV Twins: Sawyer and Chandler were the result of a long fertility struggle, making their arrival a massive milestone for the couple.
- School Days: In 2024, the older girls hit first grade. Kelly’s Instagram reflected what every parent feels: "Damn, that happened quick."
- The Outnumbered Factor: Matthew is the only man in a house with five women (including the family dogs for a long time). He’s leaned into it, often seen in "Girl Dad" gear and letting the girls play in the Super Bowl confetti like it’s a backyard sandbox.
Ultimately, the story of the Stafford family is one of resilience. From brain tumors to trade rumors, the four girls have been the constant. They were there for the 12 years of grit in Detroit and the Hollywood ending in LA.
Taking Action: Lessons for Parents
If you’re looking at the Stafford family as a model for your own, focus on the "whisper" lesson. Matthew’s ability to pivot from an NFL leader to a quiet, supportive caregiver during Kelly’s recovery is a masterclass in emotional intelligence.
- Prioritize Presence: Matthew often credits his family for his success on the field, noting he wouldn't be there without their support.
- Be Transparent: Kelly’s willingness to share the "ugly" parts of parenting—the hospital stays, the self-image struggles—creates a healthier environment for the kids to be honest about their own feelings.
- Encourage Diverse Interests: Don't force the "family business." While they love football, the Staffords encourage everything from soccer to art.
The Stafford kids might grow up in the spotlight, but their upbringing seems rooted in something much more ordinary: a lot of love, a little bit of chaos, and a dad who knows how to take a backseat to his daughters.