NFL moves playoff game, other sports impacted by Los Angeles wildfires

4 hrs ago

Chris Francis Sports Reporter

By Chris Francis (Sports Reporter), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

Los Angeles sports teams are taking precautions, moving and postponing events as firefighters continue to battle numerous wildfires around the region. The sheer devastation in some parts of the city is finally coming into focus, and several players, directly impacting coaches and their families.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed the media before the team left for its playoff game in Houston against the Texans.

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“Heart goes out and our prayers go out, abundant prayers, to all those that have been affected by this tragedy,” Harbaugh said. “And also, I’ve just been inspired greatly by the first responders and firefighters and residents that have had each other’s backs.”

The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for their NFL Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, in Inglewood, California. However, on Thursday evening, Jan. 9, the league announced that it had moved the game to Glendale, Arizona, just outside Phoenix “in the interests of public safety.”

In the interest of public safety, Monday's Wild Card game has been moved to Arizona.

More info » https://t.co/1kOSwk5Jod pic.twitter.com/OQLcutMJFv
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2025

Rams head coach Sean McVay also answered questions Thursday afternoon after the team practiced.

“It’s one of those deals that doesn’t feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected –– praying that as many people are okay –– and you just see the amount of people that are affected, and it’s one of those deals that gives you perspective,” McVay said.

The fire also affected Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. It destroyed the home he was renting in Pacific Palisades.

According to city officials, it’s one of over 5,000 other structures burned to the ground in that community. Redick’s family was able to evacuate Wednesday night.

Like the LA Kings game Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Lakers game Thursday at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles was postponed. No makeup date has been announced.

The NBA and NHL have also yet to decide on any of their games scheduled in the Los Angeles area over the weekend.

Tags: Los Angeles, NBA, NFL, NHL, Wildfire

AS THE FIGHT AGAINST WILDFIRES IN THE LA AREA CONTINUES SPORTS TEAMS ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS AND POSTPONING EVENTS. THE DEVASTATION IS JUST BECOMING CLEAR IN SOME PARTS OF THE CITY AND SEVERAL PLAYERS, COACHES AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED.

“heart goes out and our prayers go out, abundant prayers to all those that have been affected by this tragedy. And also I’ve just been inspired greatly by the first responders and firefighters and residents that have had each other’s backs”

LA CHARGERS HEAD COACH JIM HARBAUGH SPOKE TO THE MEDIA A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE TEAM PLANE LEFT FOR THEIR PLAYOFF GAME WITH HOUSTON. THEY WILL PLAY THAT GAME WHILE THINKING ABOUT FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK IN LA.

AND THURSDAY EVENING THE NFL ANNOUNCED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THEIR DECISION TO MOVE THE RAMS MONDAY NIGHT PLAYOFF GAME WITH THE VIKINGS FROM INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA. “IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY”

“its one of those deals that 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 gives you perspective.”

LA LAKERS HEAD COACH JJ REDICK WAS ALSO AFFECTED. THE HOME HE WAS RENTING IN PACIFIC PALISADES WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE ALONG WITH MORE THAN 5000 OTHER RESIDENCES IN THAT COMMUNITY ALONE ACCORDING TO CITY OFFICIALS. HIS FAMILY WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

AND LIKE THE LA KINGS GAME WEDNESDAY THE LAKERS GAME THURSDAY IN DOWNTOWN LA WAS POSTPONED. NO MAKE UP DATE ANNOUNCED YET.

THE NBA AND NHL HAVE YET TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ON THEIR GAMES SCHEDULED IN THE LA AREA OVER THE WEEKEND.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M CHRIS FRANCIS