NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league made a last-minute move to move the playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., to State Farm Stadium in Arizona due to wildfires in Southern California. made the decision.
The move was made on short notice, as the decision was made on Thursday. Because the game was played on a Monday rather than the weekend, each team packed up, slipped out of Dodge and headed south, giving each team an extra day to play as emergency officials scrambled to quell the inferno in the Los Angeles area. I was able to spend .
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with referee Jon Hussey before the NFL Wild Card Playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, January 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. left). (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Goodell spoke about the unprecedented move in an interview with ESPN.
“We all feel for the people of Los Angeles what they’re going through, the devastation, the loss, the heartache, and we knew by Thursday we wouldn’t be able to play the game there,” he said. spoke. “It is not our job to ensure or compromise public safety, and our focus is on caring for the people whose first responders are doing so hard on the ground.” I wanted to make sure that.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell watches the NFL Wild Card Playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“The league comes together when we make that decision. We have a preparation, or so-called contingency plan, that includes two stadiums every week. For Los Angeles Rams fans, this location was a perfect fit. And I’m proud to say that 45,000 of them have been here, which is just extraordinary, and Michael Bidwell and the Cardinals are at the top of that list. ”
Rams fans certainly made the trip to Glendale, Arizona. The organization painted the field in Rams colors and included a large LA logo in the center of the field.
Before the game, the Rams were one of 12 teams in the Los Angeles and Anaheim area to announce donations totaling $8 million to those affected by the wildfires.


A Los Angeles Rams fan holds up a sign before an NFL Wild Card Playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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The donations will be used to support disaster victims and those fighting the fire. American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Foundation, Cal Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon, and several other local animal rescue organizations. has been named as a beneficiary of this fund. Donation.
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