John Stafford (Matthew’s Dad) Wins US Masters National Title 2 Years After Heart Attack

2023 USMS SPRING NATIONALS

  • April 27 – May 1, 2023
  • William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center, Irvine, CA
  • SCY (25 yards)
  • Meet Website
  • Psych Sheets + Results

Super Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s dad, John Stafford, won a US Master’s national title in the 1000 free this weekend, two years after suffering a heart attack.

John Stafford, 75, finished second in the men’s 500 free (6:20.77) and fourth in the 100 free (1:03.18) before winning the 1000 free in a 13:07.00, dropping almost two minutes off his seed time.

John Stafford suffered a heart attack while alone in his pool two years ago and then joined Jim Montgomery Masters Swimming Team (JMMS), which he still represents.

As seen below, John’s son, Matthew, counted laps for John’s 1000 free on Friday.

John Stafford has a history with swimming as he was the head men’s swimming coach at Florida State from 1977-1982. Under his tenure, the Seminoles had an overall record of 30-16 (.652). The best record was during John Stafford’s first year when the team went 9-2 (.818). Prior to arriving at Florida State as a head coach, John Stafford coached at The Bolles School from 1972-1976.

John Stafford resigned from coaching in July 1982 and he entered the business world where he sold insurance.

Notably, Matthew Stafford won the Super Bowl while playing football for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season. As John has now won a master’s national title, there are two national champions in the family. The drive from the Rams stadium (SoFi) to the pool where US Masters is being held (William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center) is a total of approximately 45 miles.

17
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

17 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Brian
1 year ago

I just think it’s very cool that Matt, despite the hassles of being a celebrity out in public, is comfortable out there supporting his Dad and counting laps just like the rest of us!

Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
1 year ago

We need some Jenny Thompson coverage

RealSlimThomas
1 year ago

I don’t know where to share this, but you can get +10000 odds on Riley Gaines to replace Tucker Carlson on FOX.

Bolles Bullfrog
1 year ago

Coach Stafford was a terrific coach at Bolles. He coached and developed Olympic gold medalist David Larson, Olympic bronze medalist David Zubero, and World Championship gold medalist Kyle Miller. He also was a great English Literature teacher. What a class act!

Seth
1 year ago

I wonder what convinced John Stafford to sell insurance instead of coach swimming.

And I like how Swimswam compares Staffords Super Bowl to his dads USMS national Championship. That’s probably the first time those phrases are used in the same sentence.

RealSlimThomas
Reply to  Seth
1 year ago

It’s funny because only swimmers would listen to this comparison. I don’t think anyone else would entertain this.

612
Reply to  Seth
1 year ago

Time & Money, I’d reckon

robert kravutske
1 year ago

the old man is a winner…..too bad matthew lost his biggest 10 games here in detroit……detroit….city of losers….

Coach Tom
Reply to  robert kravutske
1 year ago

I don’t follow the NFL that closely but isn’t Matthew Stafford the guy who won a Super Bowl almost immediately after leaving Detroit?

RealSlimThomas
Reply to  Coach Tom
1 year ago

Yup. It’s also the same guy that had the worst performance (ever) following a Super Bowl championship. I think the Rams won like 3 games this past season. They dealt with a lot of injuries, but the stat exists regardless.

612
Reply to  RealSlimThomas
1 year ago

Flags fly forever.

Glenn Mills
Reply to  RealSlimThomas
1 year ago

And he’ll always be a Super Bowl Champion. You may want to watch this:
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1651459301469306881?s=20

Boknows34
Reply to  RealSlimThomas
1 year ago

You said it yourself. They dealt with a lot of injuries including those to Stafford and Cooper Kupp. Whitworth retired, OBJ tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and hasn’t played since. Von Miller moved on. etc etc

UCSwim
1 year ago

Lol, 45 minutes from LAX to Irvine πŸ˜€πŸ˜Ž

cynthia curran
Reply to  UCSwim
1 year ago

Yeah, and enough masters swimmers from the inland empire where the population in state is growing. Maybe, masters needs to do less West Hollywood and more Eastvale for a changed.

Queens
1 year ago

πŸˆπŸ“ˆπŸ₯‡πŸ’₯❀️πŸ’ͺπŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ₯²

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

Read More »