Rams VS Vikings Moved To AZ Thanks To LA Fires

On Thursday, the NFL announced that the wildcard game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams will take place at State Farm Stadium in Arizona instead of LA to give shelter to evacuees who lost their homes to the blazing flames. “Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that's been affected by these fires. 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," said Rams head coach Sean McVay. The game will still be at 8pm, and tickets are on sale now. "[McVay] gave us the reassurance and the confidence to say that we've been through so much already," safety Quentin Lake said. This will be the second ever playoff game not played at one of the participating team's home arena. The only other one was the Super Bowl game between the Boston Redskins (no know as the Washington Commanders) and the Green Bay Packers. When did the NFL know to move the game? The Rams team President, Kevin Demoff spoke on the moving of the game. He said, "There's some things bigger than football, and we owe this to our community to make sure that this game can be played safely and not be a distraction." During some of the first fires, the Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstien was practicing at the Rams practice facility. He saw smoke rising from a fire breaking out. Looking back on the moment he said... "You look up there and you're like, 'Oh man, another one. And then you're like, 'Wait a second. I live over there.'" Havenstein doesn't pay for cell service at his house, so there was no was to reach his wife or his dad to tell them to get out of there with the cats and dogs as fast as possible. Still in full gear, Rob dashed out of practice determined to find a way to contact his loving family. "I can't reach her, so I'm getting voicemail, voicemail, Find My Friends thing, that's not working because it's no service up there. So just kind of made a split decision that it's just something I couldn't leave to chance." Havenstein abandoned the team and sped down the roads to his house. That is until mid-drive his wife called him and informed him that the whole family got out safely. Rob made a quick U-turn and headed back to rejoin practice. Their were no press-conferences immediately after the practice because they wanted the players to get home. However, Rob Havenstein wasn't the only team member who's family was at risk that day. Other players had the same situation, and Sean McVay (the head coach) also had the same trauma. His wife Veronika and eight month old son, Jordan, met him at the practice facility to show him they were okay. "That was all I needed," said Coach McVay after the fact. "As soon as I knew Veronika and Jordan were good, I was good as well." This traumatic series of events is what inspired the NFL to move the game to Arizona and leave to stadium open for evacuees to do just what Veronika and Jordan did. Yesterday, the Rams sent out a X (formerly known as Twitter) post of gratitude for letting the game be played in their town. At Valiant Sports, we wish safety to everyone in California dealing with such a hard time. Good luck to both teams who have to travel to a different venue.