Cardinals assist Rams amidst wildfires, offering planes and venue.
The Cardinals are sending two team planes to Los Angeles to transport Rams players, staff, family members, and even pets to Arizona. According to reports, the evacuation group includes six dogs and two cats alongside 450 people. The Rams will relocate temporarily to Arizona for safety and logistics.
The Cardinals have also offered their facilities to the Rams. The Rams will use State Farm Stadium in Glendale for their Monday night wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. Additionally, they will practice at the Cardinals’ training complex in Tempe.
The NFL announced Thursday that the Rams-Vikings game, originally scheduled at SoFi Stadium, will move to Arizona due to the ongoing wildfires. The decision, made “in the interest of public safety,” followed consultations with public officials, the teams, and the NFL Players Association. The game will retain its 8 p.m. ET kickoff time.
Rams VP Tony Pastoors emphasized the urgency of action, stating, “Hope is not a strategy.” The fires have disrupted routines, including practices and travel, forcing the Rams to adapt quickly.
The wildfires, including the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, have consumed nearly 30,000 acres, destroyed over 1,000 buildings, and displaced approximately 130,000 residents. At least five lives have been lost. High winds and poor air quality continue to impact the region, affecting the Rams’ facilities near the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills.
Rams president Kevin Demoff publicly thanked Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, noting that one of the planes provided for evacuation was Bidwill’s personal charter. Demoff expressed gratitude, saying, “Many thanks to the @AZCardinals, Michael Bidwill, and his family for jumping in to help ahead of Monday’s game.”
This isn’t the first time State Farm Stadium has hosted games under unique circumstances. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the 49ers played three “home” games at the stadium. In 2003, wildfires in San Diego prompted the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers to play a game in Tempe, Arizona.
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