The wildfires forced the Los Angeles Rams to relocate their NFC Wild Card matchup against the Minnesota Vikings from Los Angeles to Glendale, Ariz., and it wasn’t just a logistical nightmare — it was an emotional journey.
The Rams moved as the city battled devastation, wanting to find solace in football and a win to boost their morale. While Matthew Stafford shone on the field, his wife, Kelly, made an equally powerful impact, orchestrating a gesture that uplifted fans and families.
Kelly Stafford Earns Respect From Rams Fans for Her Heartwarming Gesture
Kelly Stafford recounted the whirlwind experience on her podcast “The Morning After with Kelly Stafford & Hank“, highlighting the incredible efforts to ensure players and their loved ones reached Arizona safely.
“They opened it to literally anyone who was in that state who was a part of your family or visiting,” Stafford said. “The Ops part of it … the fact that [Rams president of team and media operations] Kevin Demoff pulled it all together and [Rams owner] Stan Kroenke backed it … I couldn’t imagine all the work that went into this.”
From police-escorted buses to meals for every family member, the Rams prioritized their community during a crisis. Stafford revealed how meticulous planning went into every detail, including TSA checks at the stadium and family meals served throughout their stay.
Meanwhile, Stafford didn’t stop at logistics for the team’s inner circle. She stepped up when fans expressed their struggles to travel to the relocated game.
“Someone posted, like, ‘Let’s get to Arizona, KB Stafford, can you help us out?’” she shared. “I said, ‘If you can organize it, I’ll pay for the buses.’”
Kelly Stafford’s podcast where she talks about everything that transpired with the Rams Wildcard game in AZ. She also talks about how the buses came to be. Take a listen. #RamsHouse
Full Video here:https://t.co/sYAf7r1jX6 pic.twitter.com/TrEk9xKcDw
— Allen Sales (@AllenSales) January 16, 2025
Her generosity ensured fans could escape the chaos in L.A. and cheer on their team in Arizona. The clip via X (formerly Twitter) earned extra brownie points for Stafford as fans rallied to praise her for her efforts once again. A fan wrote, “Kelly Stafford has been awesome for LA.”
Kelly Stafford has been awesome for LA.
— Allen Sales (@AllenSales) January 16, 2025
Another praised her, writing, “Love her!! She gets it. @RamsNFL has a very devoted fanbase. Not bandwangon fans!”
Love her!! She gets it. @RamsNFL have a very devoted fanbase. Not bandwangon fans!
— H.I. (@Hi_Vader317) January 16, 2025
A fan thanked her with a heartwarming picture in the comments.
— Papij99 (@yanezj007) January 16, 2025
Her husband also kept his end of the bargain by putting on a clinic, throwing two touchdown passes, and leading Los Angeles to a decisive 27-9 victory. The team delivered an emotional win for their displaced city, with the defense tying an NFL playoff record for nine sacks and Ahkello Witherspoon’s game-sealing fumble recovery touchdown.
The Staffords’ efforts — Matthew’s on the field and Kelly’s off it — reminded everyone of the unifying power of football, even in the darkest times. It was all about giving people 24 hours of relief and hope.