Kelly Stafford's Bold Advice: Ditch the 'Random Girls' at the NFL Draft
On one of the most significant days in an NFL prospect's life, Kelly Stafford has some candid advice: think twice before bringing your girlfriend to the Draft. During a recent episode of her podcast, "The Morning After," she shared her perspective on this hot topic.
"I’m going to give you my honest opinion right now, I don’t see why guys do it," Stafford, 35, stated on the April 24 episode. She elaborated on the potential awkwardness of having a girlfriend in the spotlight during such a pivotal moment. "If they do get drafted and you have all your family there, and your girlfriend is in the Draft pictures—then all of a sudden, she’s gone—you don’t have Draft pictures without a random girl," she explained.
Stafford's point is clear: while the girlfriend may not seem random at the moment, circumstances can change. "It’s like having your brother’s girlfriend in your wedding when they’re not engaged. And then all of a sudden you have all these photos with your family and the brother’s girlfriend," she added, highlighting the potential for future regret.
She even referenced her own wedding to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2015, where she included her brother Chad Hall’s then-girlfriend, Rose, as a bridesmaid. "Chad got married to Rose, so we were good," she noted. But she posed a thought-provoking question: "What happens if Rose didn’t marry Chad? And then she’s in all my wedding photos?"
Matthew Stafford was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. At that time, Kelly and Matthew were dating after meeting at the University of Georgia, but she chose not to attend the Draft with him and his family. "I didn’t really understand the Draft situation when he was going through it," she admitted. "But then as I get older and I have daughters, I kind of understand. He’s smart, Matthew’s smart. He didn’t know!"
The couple tied the knot six years later and have since welcomed four daughters: twins Sawyer and Chandler, 8, Hunter, 6, and Tyler, 4. Recently, they celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary, but Kelly has been open about the challenges of marriage.
"Marriage is f***ing hard," she confessed on the April 3 episode of her podcast. "Anyone who tells you differently is f***ing lying through their teeth." She reflected on the transition from being single to married life, saying, "Before tying the knot, you put yourself first all the time. Now all of a sudden, you’re putting someone else first. There’s kids involved. It just becomes tougher and tougher with the more things thrown your way."
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, airing on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, Kelly's advice serves as a reminder for young athletes to consider the long-term implications of their choices on such a monumental day.
