Before the NFC Wild-Card game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings on Monday at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, former Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth took a moment to address the Los Angeles community, reeling from the devastating wildfires sweeping through California.
In a heartfelt message, Whitworth said, “We are strong. We will not be defined by this devastation. We will rebuild LA, hand-in-hand, together. For as long as it takes and whatever it takes, we will build it together. Los Angeles, I love you. We love you. And we are with you.”
Also Read – Dennis Rodman’s Daughter Shares Surprising Message Before Washington Commanders Wild-Card Game
California has been battling multiple wildfires, destroying entire neighborhoods, forcing over 150,000 people to evacuate, and creating terrifying scenes as high winds fanned the flames. According to AccuWeather, the fires have caused an estimated $250 billion in damage, with at least 24 confirmed fatalities as of Monday, the Washington Post reported.
As of Monday evening, the three primary wildfires—the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires—were contained at 14%, 33%, and 97%, respectively, as reported by CalFire.
Due to the ongoing crisis, the NFL had to relocate the Rams’ playoff game to Arizona, the designated alternate venue, after the NHL and NBA also made the decision to postpone games for the Los Angeles Kings and Lakers.
Whitworth, who spent the final five years of his NFL career with the Rams, spoke directly to the crowd from the field while holding a microphone. In addition to being a Pro Bowler in 2017, Whitworth helped the Rams secure a Super Bowl victory in the final year of his career.
Also Read – How an Afghanistan Veteran Protected His Home from the LA Wildfires
Starting his speech, Whitworth said, “For the past week, our Los Angeles region has been ravaged by catastrophic wildfires. Over 150,000 people have been evacuated. Our friends and our neighbors have lost homes, and entire communities have been devastated. There’s still more work to do. The courage and bravery of our firefighters and first responders have shown us that real-life heroes walk among us. But I believe in the people of Los Angeles.”
With the field at State Farm Stadium adjusted to reflect the look of SoFi Stadium as much as possible, the Rams secured a 27-9 victory, despite a challenging performance from Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
Whitworth’s words provided a moment of reflection and solidarity for those affected by the fires, as the Rams continued their playoff run.
