Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is heading into his 18th NFL season, and his wife, Kelly Stafford, captured an emotional moment as he prepared for training camp. She shared a photo on Instagram showing the veteran quarterback hugging his four daughters, accompanied by the caption "18th nfl camp ❤️."
This annual departure appears to be particularly difficult as the Stafford's daughters, aged between six and nine, are reaching an age where they notice and question their father's absence. Kelly Stafford spoke about the impact of Matthew's NFL career on their family during an appearance on "The Cutting Edge" podcast earlier this month.
"One of the biggest things Matthew can’t stand is that he can’t come to [his kids’] weekend games," Kelly said, noting that the children are starting to ask when he will be able to attend their events. This sentiment highlights the personal cost of a long NFL career, which often requires significant time away from family.
Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, has spent his entire career away from his family for extended periods during the season. The Rams officially began their training camp, marking the start of another season that will require him to be away from home for several months.