Rams legend Andrew Whitworth issues stirring rallying call ahead of playoff game amid LA fire devastation

Former Rams star Andrew Whitworth rallied the team’s fan base and the city of Los Angeles with a moving speech Monday night.

Last week, wildfires besieged Los Angeles, sweeping through the city at a deadly pace, destroying entire neighborhoods and reducing thousands of homes to ash and rubble.

With Los Angelenos still reeling from the devastation that displaced thousands and killed at least 24 people, their beloved Rams faced the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the NFL’s Wild Card weekend.

Before the playoff showdown, which was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona, due to the deadly infernos, Whitworth gave a rallying cry to the City of Angels.

Addressing Los Angelenos who made the trip to State Farm Stadium and the many thousands of others forced to flee their homes over the past week, the former tackle delivered an impassioned speech from the field.

“Over the past week, our LA region has been ravaged by catastrophic wildfires,” the 43-year-old began. ‘More than 150,000 people have been evacuated. Our friends and neighbors have lost homes and entire communities have been destroyed. And there is still more work to be done.

Los Angelenos are reeling from the devastating wildfires that have killed at least 24 people

“The courage and bravery of our firefighters and our first responders prove that there are true heroes living among us.

“But I believe in the people of Los Angeles. We are strong. We will not be defined by this devastation. We will rebuild LA. Hand in hand, as long as it takes and whatever it takes, we will rebuild together.

‘Los Angeles, I love you. We love you and we are with you.”

Whitworth spent five seasons with the Rams from 2017 and 2021, helping Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI, which turned out to be his final game in the NFL.

The former player turned broadcaster wasn’t the only one to pay tribute to the firefighters and first responders who battled hellish conditions on the front line to contain the blazes.

As a growing group of firefighters continue to battle brutal conditions on the front lines in Los Angeles, the Rams honored their hometown heroes.

Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay and co. wore special t-shirts reading ‘LAFD’ in the team’s colors as the players took to the pitch to warm up, while a moment of silence was held before the match to pay respects to the victims of the tragedy .

Singer Rachel Platten, who performed her 2015 hit “Fight Song” before the players took the field, delivered a moving rendition of the national anthem.

Rams stars (photo by Cooper Kupp) wore t-shirts honoring the LA Fire Department

The Rams’ fan base made the trip to Arizona to support their team amid the tragedy

The singer struggled to keep her tears at bay as the final note of her emotionally charged performance of the Star Spangled Banner rang through the stadium.

The deadly fires broke out in Los Angeles last week, with blazes quickly sweeping through the city and leaving destruction and devastation in their wake.

In less than a week, four fires around America’s second-largest city have burned more than 60 square miles, roughly three times the size of Manhattan, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble and ash.

McVay’s team headed to the desert on Friday evening and spent the entire weekend using their division rival’s practice facilities.

The Cardinals opened their training facility in Tempe for use by the Rams, and a large banner reading “Welcome Los Angeles Rams” with both teams’ logos hung on the entrance gate.

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill even sent two team planes to LA on Friday to help the team’s trip to Arizona. The Rams’ players were allowed to bring their families – and even some pets – along for the ride.