Matthew Stafford discusses reaction to photographer’s fall at Rams parade

Matthew Stafford personally texted the photographer and apologized for his reaction

It was a strange moment at last week’s Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl parade.

Former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was accompanied by his wife and former UGA cheerleader Kelly Stafford, went viral for his reaction to photographer Kelly Smiley falling off the stage right in front of the two. The Rams superstar reacted by quickly turning away, while his wife, however, instantly went to check to see if Smiley was all right.

Stafford, who threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl win over the Bengals, expressed regret over his reaction while making an appearance Tuesday on wife Kelly’s podcast, “The Morning After.”

“We can’t not talk about what happened,” Kelly started. “There was a photographer, who stepped off the back of the stage, had asked if we wanted a picture and I was like, ‘Yes,’ because looking back at my camera roll I have literally zero of Matthew and I.

When she offered, she stepped back and fell. And it was an awful, awful moment. Matthew looked at me and said, ‘Check her please,’ and turned around.”

Kelly added that after the fall she went “straight to” Smiley, which can be seen in the above video, and “could see that she was OK.”

“We followed up with her, the moment we got in the car, Matthew actually looked at me and said, ‘Hey, will you contact the Rams, ask how she’s doing?’ Did that, they’re like, ‘We think she’s going to be OK.’ We sent her flowers. Next day we wake up, not OK,” Kelly explained.

Smiley would later reveal on social media that she had fractured her spine as a result of the fall. Following the incident, Kelly said that her husband “actually texted her himself.”

Kelly and Matthew shifted gears to talk about the quarterback’s instant reaction to seeing Smiley’s fall. Matthew noted that he wishes he “had a better reaction in the moment.”

“I do know that the reaction that the world saw in that split second, I do know that’s not what you wish would have been your reaction,” Kelly said.

Stafford then replied, “Yeah, I mean, that obviously happened really quickly and suddenly and unexpectedly, and wish I had a better reaction in the moment.”

The former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick added that he apologized to Smiley over text about the way he reacted.

“One of those things you try to train your reactions to be a little bit better next time,” he said.

The Staffords and the Rams organization will be covering Smiley’s medical expenses, telling People in a statement: “As we told Kelly, we will be covering all her hospital bills and replacing her cameras. We wish her a speedy recovery.”

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Kelly, Matthew Stafford to cover medical expenses for photographer who fell at parade

The Staffords will pay the medical bills and camera costs for the photographer who fell at the Rams’ parade

A day later, the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly announced Thursday they will cover the medical expenses for Kelly Smiley.

Smiley fell off the stage during the Rams’ parade on Wednesday in Los Angeles and fractured her spine.

The incident was viewed millions of times as Matthew Stafford walked away, looking as if he didn’t care while Kelly Stafford gasped.

A GoFundme had been set up for Kelly Smiley, a professional sports photographer and $43,000 had been raised. What happens to those funds has not been revealed.

UGA photographer provides positive update after scary collision

Georgia football photographer Chamberlain Smith gave an update after the injury from the UGA vs Auburn game.

An eerie silence fell across Jordan-Hare Stadium late in the second quarter of UGA’s 21-14 triumph over Auburn. It came after Georgia running back Brian Herrien was shoved out of bounds, where he collided with UGA photography intern Chamberlain Smith, knocking her unconscious for a few moments.

Smith was ultimately taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital after the scary collision.

However, it appears that things are looking hopeful for Smith, as she posted an encouraging update about her health on Twitter.

Smith revealed that she is doing okay and left the hospital with nothing more than a concussion and some bruises.

It’s a hopeful update after an incident that appeared that it could have been much, much worse than it was. Dawg Nation wishes Chamberlain Smith a speedy and healthful recovery from her injuries.

Brian Herrien following photographer injury: ‘I prayed for her well being’

Georgia football RB Brian Herrien discussed the injury to the UGA photographer during the Auburn game and how he prayed for her.

It was a scary moment on Saturday as UGA running back Brian Herrien collided with photographer Chamberlain Smith, an intern with the Georgia Athletic Department.

Georgia was deep in Auburn territory as Herrien caught a short pass and was pushed out of bounds, where he was unable to avoid a collision with Smith.

She was knocked unconscious and the game came to a halt as medical personnel attended to her on the sideline. A few minutes later, Smith regained consciousness and was taken off the field in a stretcher.

Herrien, who is known among the Dawg Nation as one of the hardest workers on the team and a guy who’s always willing to engage with fans, was visibly shaken up after the incident. He did not want to leave the area until he knew Smith was ok.

With a bruise by her eye, Smith was later transported to East Alabama Medical Center. A few hours later, she was released by the doctors.

“[Herrien] was pretty upset in the locker room,” CBS sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl reported at halftime.

Following the game, Kirby Smart discussed Herrien’s emotions as well.

“It was really a scary moment,” Smart said. “Brian felt very sick about it. It was a tough deal, but hopefully she’s going to be OK. I think she is.”

When Herrien found out that Smith had been released from the hospital, it’s a safe bet to say that he was relieved.

“My heart goes out to her and her family I prayed for her well being as we took a knee,” tweeted Herrien, who prayed for Smith alongside Jake Fromm at halftime, reported Erdahl.

Herrien went on to score on the first play after the game resumed. On 7 carries, the senior from Douglasville tallied 24 yards and found the end zone on a reception. Georgia won the game 21-14 and clinched its spot in the the SEC Championship Game for the third year in a row.

UGA photographer knocked out during Georgia vs Auburn game

A UGA photographer was knocked out during the Georgia football vs Auburn game

A Georgia Bulldogs photographer was knocked out during the first half today against Auburn. On a short pass play, UGA running back Brian Herrien caught the ball and was pushed out of bounds where he was unable to dodge the photographer who was kneeling and trying to take pictures.

The lady, identified by Jamie Erdahl of CBS as Chamberlain Smith, is an intern with the Georgia athletic department.

She was able to open her eyes as she was being carted off the field.

“She was taken to East Alabama Medical Center just up the road in Opelika, Alabama,” CBS sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl said prior to the second-half kickoff. “As you saw she was awake. She had a bruise on that right eye as she was taken immediately to the hospital. One of her colleagues went with her. She is an intern for the Georgia athletic department working with sports communications.

Here’s the play where the accident occurred:

Kirby Smart told CBS that Jake Fromm and Herrien said a prayer for the young lady at halftime.

Georgia scored a touchdown on the next play to make the score 14-0.

Hopefully we’ll get a good update on her condition. Injuries are bigger than football and nobody likes to see them, but unfortunately they’re part of the game.

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