Former Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth gave an emotional speech directed toward the Los Angeles community — devastated by wildfires — before the NFC wild-card game between the Rams and Vikings at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium on Monday.
“We are strong,” Whitworth said. “We will not be defined by this devastation. We will rebuild LA, hand-in-hand, together. For as long as it takes and whatever it takes, we will build it together. Los Angeles, I love you. We love you. And we are with you.”
Numerous wildfires have torn through parts of California, destroying entire communities, forcing more than 150,000 people to evacuate and producing harrowing footage as high winds combined with the flames to expedite the spread.
AccuWeather estimated Monday that the fires have caused more than $250 billion in damage, and the death toll had reached at least 24 as of Monday, according to the Washington Post.
The three active wildfires — the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst infernos — were at 14, 33 and 97 percent contained by Monday evening, according to CalFire.
As the Rams’ playoff game neared, the NFL moved the game to Arizona — labeled the alternate venue ahead of time — after the NHL and NBA both postponed contests for the Kings and Lakers, respectively.
Whitworth, a former All-Pro who now works for Amazon Prime’s pregame and postgame show, delivered his message from the field while holding a microphone.
He spent the final five years of his NFL career with the Rams, made the Pro Bowl while with the team in 2017 and contributed to their Super Bowl win during the final year of his career.
“For the past week, our Los Angeles region has been ravaged by catastrophic wildfires,” Whitworth said to start his speech. “Over 150,000 people have been evacuated. Our friends and our neighbors have lost homes, and entire communities have been devastated. There’s still more work to do. The courage and bravery of our firefighters and our first responders proved that real-life heroes live among us. But I believe in the people of Los Angeles.”
With the field changed to resemble the SoFi Stadium as much as possible, the Rams went on to win 27-9 as Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold struggled.
