getting the Rams to Arizona

Monday's Rams playoff game will be played at State Farm Stadium but the team will try to make it feel like a home game.

– Rams logos and markings on the field.
– Rams rally towels passed out at the gates.
– Rams videos on the scoreboard.
– @SamWithTheRams yelling, "Whose House?" pic.twitter.com/JhE5JhFB5h

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 11, 2025

Jourdan Rodrigue‪@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social‬
We just spoke with Rams president Kevin Demoff for several minutes as the team prepares to travel to Arizona tonight.

– There will be 450 total members of their travel party. 350 will leave tonight including players + coaches, family members, six dogs and two cats. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill

donated a plane for the effort. 100 more, including game day entertainment staff and crews, will fly Sunday.
– The Rams have secured 15 buses to transport 750 fans to AZ. They are coordinating with Kelly Stafford, who is also securing buses.

As I initially reported Thurs: Not just AQI that factored into decision. Removing fire personnel and first responders from fighting fires and related duties to meet the mandatory staff requirement to have an NFL game also significant.

“Heaven forbid a single home, car or human life was lost because some asset was diverted to SoFi Stadium, or that a fire fighter who has been working non-stop for 10 days had to stay on the front line to cover for a fire fighter who had to go to SoFi Stadium.

The Rams did not necessarily have to leave tonight, but VP Tony Pastoors said, “Hope is not a strategy.”
Thursday’s practice was a frightening experience for all, with so much changing from a previously safe zone over the course of just a few minutes.

I would love to know more about the dogs and cats that made the trip. At first glance the ratio of humans to dogs (and cats) seems out of whack, but I am assuming that could be a product of fewer people (athletes and staff) in pro sports having a lifestyle that accommodates pets.

One of many elements for NFL to consider when deciding whether to move the game: local first responders and law enforcement officials that would be pulled out of support fighting the fires and other fallout to staff game. Usually about 100 in total + 2 full EMT crews + life support ambulances.