The desire by spouses of famous athletes to defend their honor from all critics is understandable. The problem is that, in the current social media landscape, it’s hard to tell when that criticism is actually real or just a made-up quote.
Just ask Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly, who strongly defended her husband after seeing a quote by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers…which was entirely made up.
In these days of Ballsack Sports, you have to make sure you double-check every tweet is actually coming from a legitimate source and not someone who is just really good at looking authentic enough. That’s why it was so easy for a parody Twitter account called “NFC North News” to get away with posting a fake quote from Rodgers that praised Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
WHAT
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and #Vikings QB Kirk Cousins are friends?!?! Would Rodgers and Kirk be the best QB on the #Lions or #Bears
Should rival QB’s have a relationship like this?
pic.twitter.com/4exBfWmkGJ — NFC North News (@NFCNorthNewss) May 16, 2022
Kelly saw the quote, which implies that Cousins would have succeeded with the Detroit Lions, where her husband previously played. She did not agree with the sentiment and took the bait.
Kelly Stafford claps back at #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Was #Lions Stafford better then Rodgers?
https://t.co/eIIHMeqF25 pic.twitter.com/Ld70AbsFho — NFC North News (@NFCNorthNewss) May 17, 2022
Realizing the gift they’d been given, the spoof account decided to double-down and pretend that Rodgers personally responded to Kelly.
WHAT
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers doesn’t hold back in response to Kelly Stafford, wife of #Rams and former #Lions QB Matt Stafford. Who’s side are you on?
pic.twitter.com/iCNrG6bhP7 — NFC North News (@NFCNorthNewss) May 17, 2022
Alas, it was probably a bridge too far and Stafford soon acknowledged that she had been duped, though she seemed like a pretty good sport about the whole thing.
Kelly Stafford is a great sport! Love to see it!
pic.twitter.com/NUOyzICHZ8 — NFC North News (@NFCNorthNewss) May 17, 2022
And so, we are reminded once more not to believe everything you read on the internet. Which, to be fair, would also be good advice for Aaron Rodgers…
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.