Moment Rams QB Matthew Stafford turns his back on photographer who fell of rally stage

A photographer shooting the Rams’ Super Bowl celebration in Los Angeles on Wednesday says she suffered a fractured spine falling from the team’s stage in front of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who walked away rather than offering her any help.

Kelly Smiley, who was shooting the event, was seen on video accidentally walking backwards off the stage outside the LA Memorial Coliseum, where the post-parade rally was held on Wednesday afternoon. Although she fell off screen, a group of concerned onlookers including Stafford’s wife, Kelly, were seen rushing to Smiley’s attention.

Stafford, himself, was not one of them.

Apparently all out of heroics after leading the Rams on a game-winning 79-yard drive against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Stafford said ‘oh my God’ and did an immediate about-face as Smiley plummeted to the ground. He then retreated in the opposite direction while his wife looked down on the fallen Smiley below. 

Kelly Smiley, who was shooting the event, was seen on video accidentally walking backwards off the stage outside the LA Memorial Coliseum, where the post-parade rally was held. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is seen in black on the left-hand side of the frame 

Although she fell off screen, a group of concerned onlookers including Stafford’s wife, Kelly (right, in blue), were seen rushing to Smiley’s attention

Apparently all out of heroics after leading the Rams on a game-winning 79-yard drive against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Stafford said ‘oh my God’ and did an immediate about-face as Smiley plummeted to the ground. He then retreated in the opposite direction while his wife looked down on the fallen Smiley below

Kelly Smiley (left, right) a photographer shooting the Rams’ Super Bowl celebration in Los Angeles on Wednesday, says she suffered a fractured spine falling from the team’s stage in front of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who walked away rather than offering her any help. Later, on Instagram, Smiley showed the brace she was given at the hospital, writing that she was ‘feeling OK’ but was ‘staying the night in the trama (sic) center’

Initially, Smiley said she only suffered some broken equipment.

‘That’s me,’ tweeted Smiley, whose bio says she works as a photo editor for the NFL, NBA and NHL. ‘Waiting at the ER for X-ray results. Both my cameras broke but I’m ok.’

Her subsequent reports were less encouraging.

‘Unfortunately I fractured my spine,’ she wrote in her next tweet.

Later, on Instagram, Smiley showed the brace she was given at the hospital, writing that she was ‘feeling OK’ but was ‘staying the night in the trama (sic) center.’

Since then, a friend of Smiley’s has started a GoFundMe page to help with her medical costs and to replace the equipment she broke.

‘The funds raised by this gofundme will help cover Kelly’s growing medical expenses as well as replace the camera gear that was severely damaged due to her fall,’ wrote the friend, identified as Tim Kothlow. ‘Since Kelly is a working photographer, she needs this gear to help keep her working after fully recovering.

‘Kelly is loved by all who know her and is a well-respected individual in the photography community,’ Kothlow continued. ‘Please consider donating to this gofundme to help Kelly hit the ground running after she heals up.’

As of Thursday morning, the page had raised $3,500 of its $30,000 goal.

A friend of Smiley’s started a GoFundMe page to help with her medical costs and to replace the equipment she broke. As of Thursday morning, the page had raised $3,500 of its $30,000 goal