Rams Prepare for Playoff Game Amidst Devastating Wildfires
Background
The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up practice at their training complex on Friday, with bruise-colored clouds of wildfire smoke lingering on the horizon. The team, along with coaches, has been preparing for their biggest game of the season, but the catastrophic wildfires besieging the Los Angeles area have made it challenging for them to separate football from real life.
The Impact on the Team
Only a few Rams employees had been affected by the fires until Thursday afternoon, when the Kenneth Fire broke out a few miles from the team’s training complex in suburban Woodland Hills. Many players, coaches, and staff members live in the general area, and some of their families were given evacuation orders or left out of caution. This includes coach Sean McVay’s wife, Veronika, and their 1-year-old son, Jordan, who met McVay at the training complex.
The Decision to Relocate the Game
The Rams’ chief operating officer, Kevin Demoff, said that the team remains optimistic that their playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings (14-3) could be held at SoFi Stadium until Thursday. However, the new fire and the persistence of other blazes made it clear that the Rams and the NFL had to implement Plan B. The league announced Arizona as its backup location for the game, and the Rams have praised the Cardinals’ willingness to help.
Preparation for the Game
The team has been using the Cardinals’ training complex to prepare for the game, and State Farm Stadium will be made up to look somewhat like a Rams home game, complete with painted grass and signage. The stadium also needs to be filled, and Rams season ticket members have bought 25,000 tickets in the first hour of their availability. The team has arranged for at least 15 buses to drive fans from Inglewood to Glendale for the game, and more travel aids are being contemplated.
Reaction from the Team
Demoff called the league’s relocation of the game "the right decision." "It’s heartbreaking for our fans, for our players," he added. "Our players earned a home playoff game, which is a great testament to (them), but this situation merits that we play somewhere else. It doesn’t take away from what they earned. It doesn’t take away from the amazing season that we’ve had. It’s just a recognition that there’s some things bigger than football, and we owe this to our community to make sure that this game can be played safely and not be a distraction."
Experience with Uncertainty
McVay, some of his assistants, and a few remaining players, including right tackle Rob Havenstein and receiver Cooper Kupp, have experience with this type of uncertainty. The Rams endured some difficult days due to the Woolsey Fire, which forced thousands to flee an area on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties near the team’s former training complex, before their historic Monday night game against Kansas City, which had been relocated from Mexico City to Los Angeles at late notice.
Conclusion
The Rams are determined to meet the challenges on all fronts when they "host" the Minnesota Vikings at the Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium on Monday night. The team’s dedication to providing hope and a respite to their fans and the city, despite the devastating wildfires, is commendable.
FAQs
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Q: Why did the Rams relocate their playoff game to Arizona?
A: The Rams relocated their playoff game to Arizona due to the catastrophic wildfires besieging the Los Angeles area, making it difficult to hold the game at SoFi Stadium. -
Q: How did the fires affect the team’s preparation?
A: The fires affected the team’s preparation, with some players, coaches, and staff members living in areas affected by the blazes, including coach Sean McVay’s family. -
Q: What is the plan for the game in Arizona?
A: The team has been using the Cardinals’ training complex to prepare for the game, and State Farm Stadium will be made up to look like a Rams home game, complete with painted grass and signage. - Q: How can fans attend the game in Arizona?
A: Rams season ticket members have bought 25,000 tickets in the first hour, and the team has arranged for at least 15 buses to drive fans from Inglewood to Glendale for the game, with more travel aids being contemplated.
