Editor's note: After the following article was published, the NFL on Thursday night announced that Monday's Vikings-Rams playoff game has been moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (home of the Cardinals) due to the Los Angeles-area fires. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. PT Friday morning through Seatgeek.com for Rams season ticket members and noon PT to the general public. More information on ticket sales will be provided as soon as possible.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Thursday that his "thoughts and prayers" are with those affected by a rash of wind-driven wildfires in Southern California as the team prepares for its Monday playoff game, which is scheduled to take place SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The NFL on Wednesday announced the Minnesota Vikings-Rams wild-card playoff game remained scheduled to take place at L.A.'s home venue at 5 p.m. Monday. If needed, however, a contingency plan is in place for the game to be moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the Arizona Cardinals' home venue.
McVay told reporters on Thursday that his team is preparing for the game to take place as scheduled, though preparation is going forward with heavy hearts.
"Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that's been affected by these fires," McVay said. "It's one of those deals that almost doesn't feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected. Praying that as many people are OK, and you just see the amount of people that are affected and it's one of those deals that it gives you perspective. Hopefully, they get this stuff under control. It's been a unique week. Fortunately for us, there's been some people that have been affected in regards to power outages, recommended evacuations -- a couple of our staff members did have their homes affected -- but fortunately to my knowledge, nobody has been injured. For that, we're grateful."
Beginning Tuesday morning with a fire in Pacific Palisades, California, a number of wind-fueled blazes engulfed the greater Los Angeles area. The Eaton Fire (Altadena/Pasadena) and Hurst Fire (Sylmar) followed the Palisades Fire, but others have popped up, such as those in Acton and the Hollywood Hills. Following the Rams' practice on Thursday, the team canceled open locker room availability, NFL Network's Bridget Condon reported, as a new blaze, the Kenneth Fire, started up in the West Hills area, calling for evacuations near the team's Woodland Hills practice facility.
Across the Southland, five deaths have been reported, but officials say the toll is likely to be higher, while more than 5,000 structures have been burned, per the L.A. Times, and more than 130,000 residents have been placed under evacuation orders, according to the Associated Press.
It has impacted the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, who will play against the host Houston Texans on Saturday in an AFC wild-card game, in their preparation and personally.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on Thursday said his daughter Grace's home had to be evacuated.
"Heart goes out and abundant prayers to all those that have been affected by this tragedy," Harbaugh said, while donning a Los Angeles Fire Department hat. "Also, just been inspired greatly by the first responders, the firefighters and the residents that have pulled together, had each other's back. It's been tremendously inspiring.
"So, even though we've been on-mission ... abundant prayers and thoughts to all that are in this fight. You see neighbors on top of houses helping fellow neighbors, it's truly inspiring."
The Chargers practice in El Segundo. With plumes of smoke taking over the skies throughout the SoCal region, air quality is a concern. Players at Chargers practice were seen taking part in Thursday's session wearing masks.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, who was McVay's offensive coordinator from 2020-2021, offered his thoughts on the arduous situation.
"Just wanted to express my and our organizational sadness for those affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles," O'Connell said on Thursday. "You feel helpless watching it from here and you know how many people are being impacted. Definitely, Southern California, I hold near and dear to my heart. I have some friends that have lost homes and you just think about the impact it has on so many folks. Our prayers are with all those impacted and definitely with the brave first responders that are putting their lives on the line and working 24-hour shifts to try to help put this thing to end, which is on all our minds as we watch some of those things from afar."
O'Connell said he was unaware of any time table for a final decision on Monday's playoff game, but his approach was readiness no matter the location.
"To me, it's just a matter of logistics that are out of my hands," he said. "Like I said, there's a lot of really smart people, people that will make that decision, and we'll just go play the game wherever it's gonna be. Obviously, all of that is centered around some pretty deep concern for the folks – both personally that I know and everybody impacted, for sure."
