The NFL announced that the Wild Card playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings has been moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The game will be televised on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ at its scheduled 5 p.m. PT time on Monday night.
This game was originally scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium, the Rams’ home in Inglewood, but with numerous wildfires ongoing in the Southern California area, the decision to move it was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were at least six active wildfires in the L.A. area that have either been partially contained or not contained at all.
The Rams said no players or staff members had been affected by the fires, although one started in West Hills near the facility just as practice ended, forcing everyone to rush home. Once everyone’s affairs are in order, the team will likely head to Arizona to get away from the fires and practice in clean air for their upcoming game against the Vikings on Monday night.
Matthew Stafford summed up pretty well what the players and everyone in the Rams organization is going through right now, via TheRams.com:
“While we’re here, it’s full focus, 100% on the Vikings and the challenges that they present, but we’re also human beings and care for the people of our community… I think every time we suit up, we’re the Los Angeles Rams. We play for the people in this community, the people that support us, and this week will be another example of that, obviously.”
It won’t be easy for focus on football with everything going on in L.A., but hopefully the hard work of the first responders will get the fires contained as quickly as possible to keep the damage minimal.
Rams’ Puka Nacua & Cooper Kupp thankful for first responders
Rams star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both took to social media to express their appreciation for the first responders and give well wishes to the people that have been affected by the wildfires.
The post Rams’ Wild Card Game Against Vikings Moved To State Farm Stadium In Arizona appeared first on Rams Newswire.