‘A distraction, hope from devastation’ – As fires rage across the Los Angeles-area, the Rams have a chance to restore spirits
Tragedy can bring triumph.
What has taken place over the Los Angeles-area in the last week, has been nothing short of devastating.
2
Firefighters and first responders have worked tirelessly to help contain the massive firesFires across the city have ravaged the proud vibrant community to the ground.
Historic destruction with more than 10,000 structures impacted, at least ten people having lost their lives, and over an estimated $100 billion in damage, has shaken the city to it’s core.
While NBA games for the Lakers and the Clippers have been posted, there is football to be played for two hometown teams that have suffered unimaginable heartbreak.
The Los Angeles Chargers are set to face the Houston Texans on Saturday in the Lone Star State.
READ MORE NFLMeanwhile, the Rams – whose training facility stood in the shadow of fearsome smoke – were forced to move their home playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, all the way to Glendale, Arizona due to the fires.
The Rams will now be hosting the Vikings in the Arizona Cardinals’ home State Farm stadium, on Monday night.
Former NFL player turned analyst Jason Bell was born in the city, went to college at UCLA and still have family and friends across the city.
He believes this can be a rallying cry, not only for the Rams, but for the entire city of Los Angeles.
“I was just thinking about this,” Bell told talkSPORT.com in an exclusive interview.
“Talking to a bunch of family and friends that I have out there.
2
The fires have laid waste across Los AngelesCredit: Getty”I know tons of people that live in the area. A lot of my former teammates from college are still there.
“Some of them played in the NFL and just talking to them and looking at pictures, I’m just thinking of how many guys from the Rams live in that area.
“I don’t know, but it has to be a few. It’s difficult. It’s hard.
“One thing that I love about this game is when something’s challenging in life, it’s amazing how we can gather together as a family, and it galvanizes us to focus on a task.
“I’ve seen it happen before.
“You’ve seen tragic things happen in certain areas in the country where that team had to play, and their victory gave the city hope.
“So right now, what makes Los Angeles a very dangerous team in the playoffs.”
“A distraction, hope from devastation. I want the Rams to lean into that because they can.
“You’ve seen it happen before, and this could be the motivating factor that catapults them to really disrupt the way we looked at this playoff picture and surprise a lot of teams.
“They got talent, but when it’s bigger than you, it gets very interesting and this right now is bigger than them.”
Bell is correct.
Smoke from the LA wildfires can be seen on horizon from the site of the Los Angeles Rams practice facility in Woodland Hills.
It is bigger than them.
The global digital sports platform ‘Fanatics’ founded by Michael Rubin have launched an #LAStrong campaign, with a range of t-shirts featuring the hashtag as the teams from the areas logos.
“Our hearts are with everyone in Los Angeles,” Fanatics said in a statement posted on social media.
“And we’re looking to do whatever we can to help. So we’ve teamed up with the our league partners and the LA sporting world to support those impacted by the tragic wildfires.
“Fanatics, Leagues, and the participating sports organizations will not profit from the sale of the LA Strong merchandise and will make a donation directly to the American Red Cross and the LA Fire Department Foundation.
“The American Red Cross provides assistance to those affected by these fires and the LA Fire Department Foundation provides much needed support and equipment to first responders.”
Read More on talkSPORTIn moments like these, it is a staunch reminder that sports are secondary.
But in moments like these, as Bell alluded to, sports can also be a galvanizing cry for the city to come together and find hope from devastation.
Follow talkSPORT NFL on Facebook
