Los Angeles Rams players and coaches showed support for the Los Angeles Fire Department Monday night during their playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Players warmed up wearing “LAFD” T-shirts and hats and coaches were seen on the sidelines wearing the same clothes as they got ready for the wild-card game.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches a pass before an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The game between the Rams and the Vikings was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calfornia, on Thursday due to the wave of wildfires that devastated the city of Los Angeles to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona – the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Some Rams players were forced to evacuate their homes when the game was moved. The team held practice on Friday and moved to Arizona. On Saturday, the team trained at the Cardinals’ facility and then spent Sunday settling into their hotels without family.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks with running back Kyren Williams (23) before an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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Firefighters and other officials worked through the week to contain the fires that left more than two dozen people dead. Officials warned that the fire threat was not over with more strong winds expected to blow through the area again.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about the decision to move the game in an interview with ESPN before the game.
“What the people of Los Angeles are going through, the devastation, the loss, the heartbreak we all feel for them, we knew the game couldn’t be played there on Thursday,” he said. “Public safety and compromising any of that was not something we do. And we wanted to make sure the focus of the first responders was taking care of the people who are struggling so much out there.
“When we made that decision, the league is coming together. We have preparations or what we call contingency plans that include two stadiums every week, and this was a perfect fit as far as the location for the Los Angeles Rams’ fans, and I” I’m proud of to say 45,000 of them made the trip over here, which is just extraordinary, everybody came together, and Michael Bidwell and the Cardinals are at the top of the list.
Smoke from a wildfire rises above the Los Angeles Rams NFL football practice facility in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
The Los Angeles Chargers also showed support for the Los Angeles Fire Department during their road playoff game against the Houston Texans.
