The Arizona Cardinals didn’t play in the NFL playoffs this year, but that didn’t quit the group from stepping up significantly.  ,
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There was some worry that the string game between the Minnesota Vikings and the L.A. Rams, which was scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in local Inglewood, doesn’t happen as flames ravaged Los Angeles this year. The NFL made the executive decision to move the game from Arizona to State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Thursday yet, claiming it was “in the interest of public health.”  ,
In the interest of public health, Monday’s Wild Card game has been moved to Arizona.
More details » https ://t.co/1kOSwk5Jod photograph. twitter.com/OQLcutMJFv
— Los Angeles Rams ( @RamsNFL ) January 10, 2025
However, the Cardinals went one step farther. According to ESPN writer Adam Schefter, the Cardinals offered a few of their helicopters to the Rams organization in exchange for their assistance in getting to Arizona because they are one of the few NFL team with its own fleet of flights. The flights helped carry about 350 athletes, coaches, staff, and their family members, including four puppies and two cats. For the immediate future, the team has even offered to use its training facility.  ,
Kevin Demoff, the team leader for the Rams, took to Twitter to bless the Cardinals and their leader and user, Michael Bidwell, claiming they wouldn’t have been able to make the walk without their support.  ,
Some thanks to the @AZCardinals, Michael Bidwill and his family for jumping in to help forward of Monday’s activity. We could never plan, execute or proceed our players &, households without their help. https ://t.co/yW5PSgUolS— Kevin Demoff ( @kdemoff ) January 10, 2025
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He’s also mentioned how working together, along with the NFL, the two teams ‘ staff members are attempting to recreate the Rams ‘ home-field advantage by including graphics and logos wherever possible. Enthusiasts from Los Angeles are also being driven to Arizona for the sport by the Rams.  ,
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, likewise showed their appreciation to the Cardinals. Kelly has written about the fires in her radio and on social media about how they affected her family. ” These burns are absolutely terrifying. Praying for all paramedics’ loved people. Yes, houses and buildings are important, but never more essential than a living. Please keep safe”, she said.  ,
The Los Angeles people were forced to leave their homes, along with Rams head coach Sean McVay and his wife and son, despite the fact that theirs appears to have been spared. He said that knowing his household was protected was much more critical than his possessions when he spoke to reporters on Friday. ” As soon as I knew that my wife and little child were good — you don’t actually want that to happen, but if it did, those things can be replaced. Luckily, they got those things under control, but as soon as I got off the training area and because of where they were, I saw them right away. That was all I needed”, he said, adding,”… but you do know that the individuals are the most important thing and all the other thing is interchangeable..”. McVay even expressed gratitude to the Cardinals team for their courtesy.  ,
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The NFL Foundation, along with the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, and Houston Texans, has also donated$ 5 million to help those impacted by the fires. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that” we are heartbroken over the catastrophic losses that so many people in the Los Angeles area have suffered and that we are inspired by the bravery of first responders and relatives who have supported their companions.”  ,
Of course, in the midst of what’s happening in Los Angeles, it’s easy to lay back and say that sports isn’t important. And it’s real. However, there are also many people who depend on these activities for their own lives, including some who have been impacted by the flames, including players with million-dollar agreements. And while I’m sure my brother football fans will know this, I welcome the respite that the sport offers me in times of difficulty. Many people in Southern California are equally upset that their beloved Rams ( or Chargers ) make the playoffs.
