5 days earlier than the Rams host the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC wild-card playoff recreation, the NFL mentioned it was maintaining a tally of the wildfires which have ravaged elements of Los Angeles County since Tuesday.
The league mentioned it at present plans for the Rams to host the Vikings throughout their playoff recreation Monday evening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood south of the place fires burned on Wednesday, but it surely has a contingency plan if the fires adversely impression the power to host the sport.
“As with all games, there are contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed,” the NFL mentioned in an announcement. “In this instance, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.”
Wind gusts reaching practically 100 mph have fueled the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Woodley fires, which began Tuesday and have been answerable for at the least 5 deaths and have burned greater than 1,100 buildings as of Wednesday afternoon.
The NFC West champion and No. 4-seeded Rams are scheduled to play the No. 5 Vikings at 5 p.m. PST on Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. With a scheduled day without work from observe Wednesday, it stays to be seen whether or not the Rams will discover training someplace apart from their Woodland Hills facility later this week.
The Rams posted on X that their “hearts are with those affected by” the fires and “the first responders protecting our community.”
“Be safe,” the group wrote.
Star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have been among the many Rams gamers who posted comparable sentiments.
Our ideas and prayers are with everybody affected by the fires.
Thanks to the firefighters, first responders, and everybody else doing their finest in unfathomable circumstances.
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) January 8, 2025
“Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances,” Kupp wrote.
Nacua added: “God bless the families impacted!”
Thanks to the entire first responders! God bless the households impacted!
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) January 8, 2025
The Chargers, who additionally play their house video games at SoFi Stadium however are opening the playoffs on the street Saturday towards the Houston Texans, will donate $200,000 in wildfire reduction efforts, the group introduced Wednesday. The cash will probably be cut up throughout the American Purple Cross, the L.A. Hearth Division Basis, Crew Rubicon and pet rescue organizations sheltering animals displaced by the fires.
Returning to the playoffs for the primary time since 2022, the Chargers adjusted their observe routine Wednesday to restrict gamers’ time exterior on the El Segundo observe facility. Offensive gamers and defensive scout group members alternated on-field periods with defensive gamers and offensive scout group members and a few coaches and group personnel have been carrying face masks on the sector.
Whereas most Chargers gamers and coaches reside close to the South Bay and have been exterior of rapid hazard, offensive coordinator Greg Roman mentioned broad receivers coach Sanjay Lal and his household needed to evacuate from their Calabasas house.
The Chargers canceled considered one of their postseason fan occasions in Sherman Oaks, initially scheduled for Friday, however will proceed with “Charge Up to Playoffs” occasions in Orange, Rancho Cucamonga and Hermosa Seaside whereas additionally holding provide drives for evacuation facilities.
Followers attending occasions are requested to carry generally requested gadgets for an evacuation state of affairs, together with bottled water, blankets, new or gently used garments, first help kits, hygiene merchandise (cleaning soap, shampoo, deodorant, saline resolution, toothpaste, toothbrush, hand sanitizer), child provides (diapers, method, moist wipes), female hygiene merchandise, paper towels, rest room paper, moveable chargers, pet meals and water.
