The NFL has relocated the Vikings-Rams postseason game to Arizona as a result of the wildfires in Los Angeles

The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams’ playoff game on Monday has been relocated to Arizona by the National Football League due to the devastating wildfires that have affected the area encircling the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The NFL stated that the decision to host the Wild Card game at the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium in Glendale was made in the interest of public safety and after consultations with public officials, participating clubs, and the NFL Players Association.

Matt Stafford, the quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams, stated that the team would proudly represent Los Angeles at all venues.

Stafford stated, “We embody the Los Angeles Rams each time we don our uniforms.”

“We play for the people in this community, the people that support us, and this week will be another example of that.”

The NBA had previously postponed the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday as a result of the ongoing natural disaster.

Two days after they were ignited to produce the most severe wildfire event in the state’s history, two enormous wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles County were still blazing uncontrollably on Thursday.

Officials have reported that at least seven individuals have died, thousands of homes and businesses have been incinerated, and nearly 180,000 individuals have been ordered to evacuate their homes, with an additional 200,000 individuals under evacuation warnings.

The Lakers issued a statement in which they expressed their profound sorrow for Los Angeles.

“Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this unimaginable situation.” We are grateful to the first responders and all of you who unite when we are most in need.

No makeup date for the game has been announced as of yet.
In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, the conflagration destroyed the residence of Lakers head coach JJ Redick, according to ESPN on Thursday.

“It is impossible to be true”

Ali Riley, the captain of the New Zealand women’s national soccer team and a player for NWSL team Angel City FC, reported that her residence was among the structures destroyed in the Palisades fire.

“This was our residence.” How is this real? Riley shared a photo of a devastated neighborhood on X, stating, “It is impossible to be true.”

Gary Hall Jr., a three-time U.S. Olympic swimmer, was able to flee the Palisades fire with his dog Puddles, his insulin, and a few personal items before his rented home was destroyed by the fire.

A GoFundMe page established for him stated, “He has also likely lost his ten Olympic medals, but nothing can take away his spirit that won those medals.”

The horse racing venue, Santa Anita Park, has rescheduled the racing program for Friday until January 16 as a result of the anticipated poor air quality in the San Gabriel Valley.

Nate Newby, Santa Anita’s general manager, stated that the pollution from the wildfires is affecting all of Los Angeles County, despite the fact that Santa Anita remains well outside of any active fire area.

“We also want to respect the impact that this tragedy has had on many of our community, including our horsemen and women and our own Santa Anita team, who have been devastated by these fires.”

The Palisades fire, which occurred between Santa Monica and Malibu on the western flank of the city, and the Eaton Fire, which occurred in the east near Pasadena, are the most destructive fires in the history of Los Angeles. These fires consumed nearly 31,000 acres (12,500 hectares), or approximately 48 square miles (125 square kilometers), and transformed entire neighborhoods into ash.