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As we are all aware of, tragic wildfires have upended life in the Southern California in recent days, especially in and around Los Angeles. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, with countless damage done to property and a rising death toll providing a somber start to the year.
The Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to host a playoff game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday against the Vikings, though that game could get moved due to the wildfires. Now, just days before that game, the team’s schedule is being upended by the flames.
Obviously, there are far more important things to worry about given the fires than the Los Angeles Rams. But, Sean McVay and his players do have a playoff game to win. It must be stressful for team members, and there’s no way they can be fully focused on the task at hand with the potential for new fires to pop up at any minute.
That’s exactly what happened on Thursday. The team practiced as scheduled on Thursday, but was sent home early from media obligations as a new fire popped up.
The Rams are cancelling open locker room after practice to let the players get home as a new fire breaks out, The Kenneth Fire
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 9, 2025
The Kenneth fire broke out Thursday afternoon on the west coast northwest of Los Angeles near Calabasas and West Hills.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced that there is a contingency plan if the game must be moved from SoFi Stadium. The game would be played in Glendale, Arizona, at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The NFL has announced that the #Vikings–#Rams playoff game is still being planned for LA. But there is a contingency plan. pic.twitter.com/CLlazq2uKn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2025
Our thoughts are with everyone in the Los Angeles area that are affected by these fires.