NFL News: Matthew Stafford sends heartfelt message to LA after Rams' victory over Vikings

Matthew Stafford is back in the divisional round with the Los Angeles Rams, something that has been long awaited and finally happened thanks to the crushing 27-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. However, despite the exciting moment, the reality of the wildfires is palpable everywhere, and the quarterback dedicated a special message to the city.

According to Stafford’s statements to ESPN’s Lisa Salters, he said that resilience is part of the team and he felt proud of everyone, but despite the victory, things in the city aren’t good, stating, “This is for the people of Los Angeles, struggling right now, it’s been unbelievable to watch…the whole country get behind them.”

Matthew Stafford acknowledged the tremendous effort Rams fans made to attend the game despite the severity of nearby wildfires, saying, “We felt that (support) from the people that came from Los Angeles, local, whoever and wherever they came from, we appreciated it big time. That support was really awesome.” It’s important to note that the game was relocated to State Farm Stadium in Arizona after originally being scheduled at SoFi Stadium.

Many players shared similar sentiments, but Stafford’s message stood out as he understood how crucial fan support was to lift the team’s spirits. “There was every reason in the book to come out here and be lethargic… But we knew we weren’t playing just for us. Playing for people back home that needed something to watch and enjoy, and I’m glad we could give that to them.”

Michael Hoecht Expresses Gratitude to the Fans

Michael Hoecht, who recorded 4 tackles in the game, also took a moment to thank the fans who made the difficult trip to Arizona to support the team. “Running out of the tunnel and just hearing the noise and just seeing the amount of blue that was in the stands, I’m just so thankful that all those people traveled.” He emphasized how important it was to see those fans there and expressed hope that the win would be rewarding for them.

McVay Proud of His Players

Head coach Sean McVay recognized the immense effort his players put in to make it to the playoffs. Despite the challenging circumstances facing the city, McVay praised his team, saying, “With everything that’s going on with our community, everything that these guys have gone through, I thought they epitomized and represented the city the right way.” It’s worth noting that the Rams were eliminated in the Wild Card round of the 2023 playoffs.