Matthew Stafford Leads Daughters Flag Football Team to Championship

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford coached his daughters' youth flag football team to a championship after stepping in when the originally planned coach became unavailable. The team included six girls and four boys, among them Stafford's daughters Chandler, Sawyer and Hunter, and won the title under a straightforward approach designed to help the children learn and enjoy the game.

Stafford's coaching experience came after his daughters developed an interest in football following a girls flag football camp at the Rams' facility. According to ESPN, a local high school student had initially been scheduled to coach, but a scheduling conflict prompted the parents to ask Stafford to take over.

Stafford described how the unexpected opportunity arose during his conversation with ESPN.

"Everybody just kind of looked at me and was like, ‘I mean … it should be you,’" Stafford said.

Rather than introducing an elaborate playbook, Stafford kept the team's defensive approach consistent throughout its games. His priority was choosing tactics that the young players could understand and execute.

"We kind of just lined up and played the same defense all the time," Stafford said.

He explained that a more complicated strategy would not necessarily suit the team's abilities.

"I could scheme up some stuff, but can we execute it? Probably not." Stafford said.

Stafford also distinguished his role on the youth field from his responsibilities as an NFL quarterback.

"I'm just a dad out there at that point," Stafford said.

A video shared by his wife, Kelly Stafford, in the spring showed him teaching the children defensive pursuit angles and how to read a passer's movements. Rams Wire reported that he instructed the players to pay attention to the quarterback's eyes when anticipating a throw.

"Quarterback's eyes, if they start to go throw it that way, right?" Stafford told the players, according to Rams Wire.

The coaching episode coincided with the Rams selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft. Simpson was viewed as a potential young quarterback who could learn from Stafford, while Kelly had already contacted him through Instagram.

Simpson expressed his interest in meeting the veteran quarterback.

"I can't wait to talk to Matthew," Simpson told reporters.

Stafford's family has also been present during difficult moments in his professional career. After the Rams lost the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks in January, he described an emotional exchange with one of his daughters on his "Let's Go!" podcast.

His daughter had cried while telling him how badly she felt about the loss.

"Dad, I feel so bad for you," his daughter told him.

Stafford responded by emphasizing his appreciation for his life and family.

"You know what, don't feel bad for me. My life is a blessing," Stafford said, as reported by E! News.

Kelly said the girls had attended 15 of Stafford's 17 regular-season games, as well as the playoffs, and had since expressed interest in playing quarterback on a girls flag football team.

The championship adds a family milestone to Stafford's professional achievements. According to NFL.com, he won the 2025 AP NFL MVP award with 366 points, narrowly beating Drake Maye, who received 361 points. Stafford led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes against eight interceptions.

The award marked Stafford's first first-team All-Pro selection in his 17th season. The Detroit Lions selected him first overall in 2009, and he later won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams.

After receiving the MVP trophy, Stafford indicated that he intended to return for another season.

"I'll see you guys next year," Stafford said.

Elsewhere in ESPN's coverage of NFL players coaching their children, Chargers linebacker Bud Dupree described recognizing that he had repeated a practice instruction while working with his son, Jett. He shared the moment with teammate Khalil Mack.

"Bro, Khalil, I just told my son how to do this," Dupree said.

New England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses offered a different perspective on youth sports, emphasizing that winning was not his main concern.

"I told everybody I really don't care if we win or lose," Moses said.