LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the team will be covering the medical bills and cost of repaired camera equipment for injured photographer Kelly Smiley, who was seen falling off the state at the Super Bowl celebration Wednesday.
Harsh criticism was thrown toward Stafford following a video that shows him walking away after clearly seeing Smiley fall, without even a backward glance to see if she was ok. On Thursday, both he and his wife released a joint statement with the team to address how they're helping Smiley.
"We have been in communication with Kelly Smiley since yesterday's incident and we are sorry for what happened," the statement published by CBS L.A. reads.
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"As we told Kelly, we will be covering all her hospital bills and replacing her cameras. We wish her a speedy recovery."
The video now making its rounds on the internet shows Stafford, his wife Kelly and Smiley interacting while on stage in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with Smiley appearing to be taking a cellphone photo for the couple.
As she steps back, she suddenly disappears from view as she falls off the stage — while both Stafford and his face appear shocked at what they just saw. Stafford quickly walked away, while his wife stayed behind. Though many have said his reaction was likely due to intoxication, not sincere lack of care for the photographer.
A GoFundMe page created by a friend of Smiley's has raised $42,470 as of 2:10 p.m. on Thursday - well above it's $30,000 goal. There's no word yet on where the funds will go now that Stafford and the L.A. Rams have agreed to cover the costs of her bills and equipment.
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