The Los Angeles Rams’ Wild Card playoff game descended into somber and emotional scenes as their home city lay in rubble and devastation 374 miles away Monday.
The Rams’ playoff showdown against the Minnesota Vikings was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona because of the ongoing fires that continue to rage through Los Angeles.
Massive infernos continued to wreak devastation across the City of Angels Monday as more powerful winds moved in and threatened recent progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
And, following a week of turmoil and tragedy, singer Rachel Platten struggled to keep her tears at bay as she performed an emotionally-charged rendition of the national anthem.
The American singer-songwriter was caught breaking down into tears as the final note of the Star Spangled Banner rang out around State Farm Stadium.
As the songstress sang a touching rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, Los Angeles’ NFL players were also moved by the moment.
Rachel Platten burst into tears after performing the national anthem before Rams-Vikings
Firefighters continue to battle the brutal conditions on the frontlines back in Los Angeles
ESPN’s broadcast panned over Rams stars Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, who appeared choked up on the sidelines, while head coach Sean McVay was caught looking glassy-eyed.
As a growing force of firefighters continue to battle the brutal conditions on the frontlines back in Los Angeles, the Rams honored their hometown heroes earlier in the evening.
Stafford, McVay and co. also wore special t-shirts, reading ‘LAFD,’ in the team’s colors as the players took to the field to warmup, while a moment of silence was held pregame to pay respect to the victims of the tragedy.
Before the teams took to the field to unite in the singing of the national anthem, Platten had performed a rendition of her 2015 hit ‘Fight Song,’ over the top of a montage showing first responders heroically battling the infernos.
Arriving at State Farm Stadium Monday evening, quarterback Stafford chose to make his own gesture as he donned a navy LAFD hoodie for his entrance.
The Chargers, who share a stadium with the Rams, paid their own tribute to their fellow Los Angelenos with similar honorary t-shirts ahead of their playoff defeat to the Houston Texans Saturday.
‘Puttin on for the city,’ they wrote on social media with a blue heart emoji.
Deadly fires broke out in Los Angeles last week with the blazes rapidly tearing through the city and leaving destruction and devastation in their wake .
A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford wore a Los Angeles City Fire Department hoodie Monday
Signs thanking the emergency services hung from the stands at State Farm Stadium
In less than a week, four fires around America’s second-biggest city have scorched more than 62 square miles, roughly three times the size of Manhattan, with entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble and ash.
McVay’s team made their way to the desert on Friday night and have used their divisional rival’s practice facilities all weekend.
The Cardinals opened their training facility in Tempe for the Rams’ use, and there was a big banner that said ‘Welcome Los Angeles Rams’ with the logo of both teams on the entrance gate.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill even sent two team planes to LA on Friday to help the team’s journey to Arizona. The Rams’ players were allowed to bring their families – and even some pets – along for the ride.
Los Angeles still hopes for a sizable homefield advantage for Monday’s game, even if it’s roughly 375 miles and a six-hour drive from SoFi Stadium.
The team´s season ticket holders bought 25,000 tickets in the first hour of availability Friday and they were lined up before sunrise on Monday to make the bus trip.
A line of fans could be seen wrapping around the stadium prior to 5:30am local time.
The Chargers wore warmup caps and shirts with LAFD printed in their team colors on Saturday
And once fans got on the buses, they were even met with gifts, as an X post from fan Allen Sales showed a towel and foam finger on his seat.
Los Angeles won nine straight games in Arizona before the streak was snapped earlier this season.
McVay said Los Angeles requested the visitors locker room on Monday – even though they’re still technically the home team – because of their familiarity with the space.
Only a few Rams employees had been directly affected by the fires until Thursday afternoon, when the Kenneth Fire broke out a few miles from the team´s training complex in suburban Woodland Hills, sending smoke billowing into the sky with alarming speed.
Defensive lineman Kobie Turner said receiver Puka Nucua’s house was in an evacuation warning zone, so he came over and slept at his house one night.
