Even though the Los Angeles Rams will not be playing in the Super Bowl, they still had a fantastic season led by quarterback Matthew Stafford. In his age-37 season, Stafford looked to be at the peak of his playing abilities. He threw for 4,707 yards and a career-high 46 touchdown passes with only eight interceptions.
Those numbers were good enough for Stafford to be named first team All-Pro and the favorite for the NFL MVP award, which will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday Night. Stafford has been through a lot across his 17 seasons in the NFL, and two people who have stood by his side the entire time are his parents. For anyone who may not know, here are some things about Stafford’s parents, John and Margaret.
Meet Matthew Stafford’s Parents
It appears Matthew is not the only athlete in the family, as his father, John, was a swimmer at Florida State University. John has been swinging his whole life, and the work ethic he developed has been instilled in Matthew.
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According to EssentiallySports, at the age of 76, John won the US Masters National Title in the 1,000-meter freestyle in 2023. He did that despite recovering from a heart attack suffered in 2021. Matthew was able to watch his father recover and get back to the top of his sport, which is something Matthew has had to do as well.
Matthew has had many injuries during his career and has always found a way to come back and be productive. To play in the NFL for 17 seasons, you have to be tough. Stafford has been that, and now we know where he got it from.
Margaret Stafford does not have an athletic background, but she has always been supportive of Matthew throughout his career. She stayed out of the spotlight and has been unseen for most of Matthew’s playing career. She worked in the advertising/magazine industry and helped instill a blue-collar work ethic in Matthew.
Although John and Margaret divorced while Matthew was still in high school, they did not allow their relationship to affect him as he pursued his football career.
Stafford has learned from his parents what it takes to raise a family, and he has done that on his own. He has a wife, Kelly, whom he met while at the University of Georgia, and they have four kids together.
You already know!! 💙💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/OYiqoICMVa
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 18, 2026
It remains to be seen how much longer Stafford wants to play in the NFL. But whenever he is ready to hang up the cleats, he has a great family waiting for him.
