L.A. Rams Playoff Game to Mark Catastrophic Fires With NFL Vet Andrew Whitworth, Rachel Platten
Large-scale event insiders across the city have been asking themselves the same question in recent days amid catastrophic wildfires ripping through Los Angeles County: How to proceed given the circumstances?
The NFL answered it last Thursday by moving a scheduled playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings from Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium to Arizona. Kickoff will be in a couple of hours at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and the Rams organization confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter how the fires and the current (ongoing) tragedy will play into the event.
First off, retired Rams superstar and Super Bowl champion Andrew Whitworth, who spent five years with the team after 11 with the Cincinnati Bengals, will address the crowd live inside State Farm Stadium “with a special message to Los Angeles.” He’ll then cede the spotlight to singer Rachel Platten, who will perform her adversity anthem “Fight Song” on the field. While she sings, a 200-foot “L.A. Together” banner will drop on the sideline as her backdrop prior to player introductions. Platten will stay at the microphone to sing the National Anthem. Both of her performances will be broadcast live. (The game will be televised on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes as well as locally on ABC7.)
The sidelines will also be well represented with gear honoring the first responders. Rams players, coaches and staff will wear custom Los Angeles Fire Department shirts and hats complete with the L.A. Rams monogram. The custom merch will be available for sale at State Farm Stadium and online with all profits going to support the LAFD Foundation and American Red Cross. Rams insiders have sent Rams-branded “L.A. Together” shirts to fire base camps in Los Angeles.
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Other highlights: Game-worn jerseys and select game footballs will be auctioned off on NFL Auction with proceeds going to the American Red Cross; a 50/50 Raffle, half of which typically benefits the Los Angeles Rams Foundation, will be donated to the LAFD Foundation and American Red Cross; the Arizona Cardinals Flag Crew will join Rams mascot Rampage to run out on the field with “L.A. Together” flags; “Thank You Firefighters and First Responders” banners will be up in the South end zone; and concession stands will feature a donation opportunity for fans to donate $5, $10 and $20 to American Red Cross.
In other game entertainment news, L.A. hip-hop star Xzibit will perform at halftime alongside Rams cheerleaders, while Warren G will hit the field for a special third-quarter performance.
“The safety of the Los Angeles community is the top priority of the Rams, and the organization’s thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires in the area. The team is grateful for the tireless efforts of first responders who continue to protect the city and community as well as individuals who continue to help neighbors in need,” the Rams organization said in a statement.
