INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Rams and the Stafford family have offered to cover expenses for Kelly Smiley, a photographer who fell and fractured her spine at the Super Bowl parade.
The city of Los Angeles showed up to celebrate the Rams’ Super Bowl win, but unfortunately, the festivities resulted in a trip to the trauma center for photographer Kelly Smiley.
Smiley was standing on the stage at the end of the Rams’ parade route when she suddenly fell from the stage, which resulted in a fractured spine. LA quarterback Matthew Stafford saw Smiley fall and quickly turned away, signaling his wife Kelly to attend to the injured person. Matthew Stafford has been widely criticized online for walking away from Smiley, but the Rams and the Stafford family have been in contact with Smiley and have offered to cover her medical and equipment expenses. Smiley’s photography gear was also damaged when she fell from the stage.
“We have been in communication with Kelly Smiley … and we are sorry for what happened,” reported Bleacher Report.
Rams, Stafford family offer to cover expenses for injured photographer Kelly Smiley
Video of the fall and Matthew Stafford’s reaction made the rounds on social media. Stafford sees Smiley fall in front of him, mouths, “Oh my God,” and turns and walks away. It should be noted that Stafford and fellow Rams players had been drinking all afternoon, which could have influenced his decision-making skills and ability to accurately register how serious Smiley’s fall was at the time.
The offer from the Rams and the Stafford family clearly indicates that although Matthew turned around at the wrong moment, the Staffords and the team want to help and support Smiley through what must be an extremely difficult time.