Kelly Stafford fires back after Jalen Ramsey's GQ comments

Rod Beard
The Detroit News
Kelly Stafford, left, shot back at Jalen Ramsey for what he had to say about her husband and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in a recent GQ interview.

Allen Park — Jalen Ramsey doesn’t often hold his tongue — and he wasn’t trying to make friends in his recent interview with GQ Magazine.

The outspoken Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback is known for his trash talk and he offered his opinions on several NFL players — including Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford — in a controversial story posted on GQ.com on Wednesday. 

“I think he’s straight. I don’t think he the best quarterback out there,” Ramsey told GQ. “But he do what he gotta do.”

That’s not exactly scathing commentary, but it didn’t those words didn’t sit too well with Stafford’s wife Kelly, who took to Instagram to shoot back at Ramsey. In an Instagram story posted to her account, Kelly went after Ramsey and questioned why he was even expressing his opinion. 

“Can someone tell me why @gq magazine is interviewing @jalenramsey? I understand espn...but not GQ...there is nothing “GQ” about him,” Kelly wrote. “Just seems like a complete waste of time and space.”

Kelly Stafford's response to Jalen Ramsey on Instagram

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In turn, GQ senior editor Chris Gayomali offered his response to Kelly, posting on Twitter: “Kelly Stafford out here playing entire concertos with a dog whistle... impressive.”

Ramsey, who is dating the younger sister of Lions receiver Golden Tate, is an All-Pro defensive back who had four interceptions last season. Ramsey is earning his reputation as one of the top cornerbacks in the league — but is getting as much attention for his words off the field as he is for his actions on it.

Earlier this week, the Jaguars suspended Ramsey, 23, for a week for violating team rules. After teammate Dante Fowler Jr. was involved in an altercation following a practice, Ramsey directed a profanity-filled rant at media members who were recording the incident.

"I’m always gone take up for my teammates kus I know what type of men and players they are forreal!” Ramsey posted on Twitter this week. “Love my dawgs! If you don’t like it, oh well. God bless.”

The GQ story opens with a story of Ramsey and Tate’s sister Bre, who told Ramsey that the Tate family would beat the Ramsey family in flag football.

According to the story, Ramsey keeps the trash talk going, calling his father, who assured him that the Ramseys would prevail.

“And your family’s too short! I’m going up on top of all of them,” Ramsey said. “Please let Golden guard me. I’m going up top on Golden.”

It’s fairly innocuous stuff, which Tate took in stride when asked about it after Wednesday’s joint practice between the Lions and New York Giants.

Tate even fired back a little talk of his own, saying: “I’m going to handle Jalen myself.”

Ramsey is 6-foot-1 and Tate is 5-10, but Tate said that height isn’t the only measure to consider.  

“He’s got to match my quickness, too. He’s an outside (cornerback); he doesn’t want no business in the slot,” Tate joked. “Jalen is one of the homies. He’s a tremendous talent. I love watching him play and watching him talk some (trash). He’s going to bring it every day. I’m happy he’s part of the family.

“He’s good people and I’m sure over the next few years, we’ll be working out and put it on video and have some fun.”

rod.beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard