As wildfires continue to devastate several areas in and around Los Angeles, it’s now impacting sports leagues and schedules. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the NFL issued a statement saying it is monitoring the fires ahead of Monday night’s Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.
Air quality is a major concern for that matchup. However, numerous families and friends of Rams players and staff are also in harm’s way.
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Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp shared his thoughts on social media, writing in part, “Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires.
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) January 8, 2025
Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances.
After the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, Jan. 7, head coach JJ Redick’s thoughts were squarely back home, where his family had to evacuate.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now. That’s where I live. Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated,” Redick said. “I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of things, with the winds coming tonight, I know a lot of people are scared. So, I just want to acknowledge that.”
And in the Bay Area, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sent his thoughts to the victims, including his 90-year-old mother, who is among those affected.
“My mom lives in Pacific Palisades; she had to evacuate. Everett Dayton on our staff, he grew up in Pacific Palisades –– from what I gather, his family home is lost. And everything I’m seeing and reading, it’s just terrifying what’s happening down there.”
The National Hockey League has postponed Wednesday night’s game between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames. The NHL has not announced a rescheduled date. The Los Angeles Lakers are planning on playing in the downtown arena Thursday night, though there’s no word yet on whether that game will happen as planned.
