Matthew Stafford‘s biggest victories happen off the field. The Los Angeles Rams quarterback credits his four daughters – Sawyer, Chandler, Hunter and Tyler – as the driving force behind both his career moves and personal joy.
The girls, ages 5 to 8, have become fixtures on the sidelines, cheering their dad through playoff runs and a Super Bowl triumph. While their attendance at the Jan. 18 Rams-Bears playoff game remains unconfirmed, they were present for the recent NFL Wild Card Round, continuing a family tradition that includes celebrating the Rams’ 23-20 Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022.
An NFL Instagram video captured the confetti-covered celebration, showing Stafford’s daughters playing in the yellow and blue streamers while their parents watched. That moment crystallized what Stafford calls “the greatest part” of his life.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” Stafford told News Of Los Angeles while discussing his departure from the Detroit Lions. “I would never have made the decision to go in and ask to be traded [somewhere] unless I had full support from my family.”
The 36-year-old quarterback has embraced fatherhood to daughters exclusively, dismissing questions about adding a boy to the family. In a 2021 Rams.com Q&A, he explained: “It’s the greatest part of my life, to be honest with you. It changed it in so many ways… I’ve been lucky enough to have that four times. Four beautiful little daughters. I’m lucky in that regard.”
The Twins Who Started It All
Sawyer J. and Chandler Page Stafford arrived on March 31, 2017, transforming Matthew and Kelly Stafford from couple to parents overnight. The twins’ birth followed a challenging fertility journey that included in vitro fertilization, which Matthew openly discussed on his wife’s podcast in May 2024.
“It wasn’t an easy time but there’s a lot of people that go through it and figure out ways to get through it,” he shared. “It’s a thing that helps a lot of people and obviously helped us.”
Now 8 years old, Sawyer and Chandler have developed distinct personalities while maintaining their twin bond. Sawyer dreams of becoming an artist, while Chandler aspires to be a soccer player. The girls often dress alike, from matching infant onesies to coordinated 1950s Halloween costumes.
Both twins have followed their mother’s cheerleading footsteps, attending cheer and tumbling classes. They’ve also tried T-ball, connecting to their father’s baseball background from his high school days.
The “Sassy” Middle Child
Hunter Hope Stafford entered the world on August 16, 2018, bringing what her mother calls “sassy” energy to the family dynamic. Kelly Stafford revealed she surprised Matthew with the pregnancy news during Christmas 2017, later announcing it publicly during a family vacation.
Nicknamed “Huntie” by her mom, the 7-year-old has become the family’s football analyst. “She is always the one asking questions about what’s happening during games,” Kelly shared on Instagram in July 2023. “I love that when Matthew is done, he will have her to watch it with ❤️.”
Hunter’s caring nature emerged when Tyler arrived in 2020. “Baby Tyler is HER baby,” Kelly wrote. “Every time she wakes up she asks where baby Tyler is, every time Tyler cries she rushes to find a paci, and every time I am holding Tyler, she wants to be a part.”
The Pandemic Baby With Big Personality
Tyler Hall Stafford completed the family on June 26, 2020, during the height of COVID-19 uncertainties. Matthew reflected on the unique challenges in a 2021 video for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System: “It’s difficult enough having a child, being a parent for the first time or the second time or the third time. Doing it in the middle of a pandemic brings all sorts of new challenges.”
Despite the circumstances, Tyler thrived. At seven months, she measured in the 93rd percentile for height, making her taller than most kids her age. Now 5, Tyler’s adventurous spirit shines through in activities like ropes courses and competitive snack heists, as captured in a July 2022 video showing her determined attempt to open a pantry door after being denied more snacks.
The youngest Stafford keeps pace with her older sisters, participating in swimming, soccer, and arcade games. She’s also become Kelly’s playground companion, with the mom sharing: “She makes me feel like I’m the most important person in the world.”
Life Lessons From Fatherhood
Stafford’s approach to parenting mirrors his quarterback mentality – strategic, supportive, and focused on long-term growth. The girls have taught him patience while providing the stability that influenced major career decisions.
The family’s public presence, primarily through Kelly’s Instagram, reveals a deliberate balance between NFL life and normal childhood experiences. From first days of school to cheer competitions, the Stafford girls experience typical activities while occasionally stepping into the spotlight during their dad’s biggest moments.
As the Rams continue their playoff push, whether Sawyer, Chandler, Hunter and Tyler appear on the sidelines or cheer from home, their impact on Stafford’s performance remains constant. The quarterback who can handle 300-pound defensive linemen admits his toughest opponents are often his daughters asking about homework or requesting bedtime stories.
In the Stafford household, victories are measured not in touchdowns or championships, but in dance parties, art projects, and the daily chaos of raising four girls who transformed a football star into a devoted girl dad.
