Rams' Matthew Stafford acknowledges 'playing for people back home' amid LA wildfires

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford acknowledged how important Monday night’s playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings was in the midst of a natural disaster back home.

The Rams-Vikings matchup was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, because of wildfires that struck the Los Angeles area. The Rams practiced once at their facility before heading to Arizona to prepare for the game.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, #9, throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Rams fans still showed up to the stadium and supported their team as they won the game, 27-9.

"There was definitely every excuse in the book to come out here and be lethargic and woe is me and all that, but we knew we weren’t playing just for us," he told reporters, via Pro Football Talk. "Playing for people back home that needed something to watch and enjoy and I’m glad we could give that to them."

Stafford was among the players and coaches who supported the Los Angeles Fire Department before and during the game, wearing shirts that said "LAFD."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talked about the decision to move the game earlier Monday.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford answers a question during a news conference after an NFL football wild card playoff