Matthew Stafford, Kawhi Leonard, Steve Kerr.
Getty Images(3)The tragic wildfires that have engulfed large parts of southern California have had a profound effect on sports and prominent members of the sports community.
Since the fire broke out in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 7, more than 17,000 hectares have burned. The subsequent fires in the region have burned a total of more than 40,000 hectares, leaving at least 24 people dead.
After the fire, the area’s top sports teams – including the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings – were forced to postpone games. The NFL’s Los Angeles Rams have moved the game altogether, moving their Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Glendale, Arizona.
On Monday, January 13, all 12 major sports teams in Los Angeles – including MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy – pledged to donate with more than 8 million dollars to “Support victims in need, as well as those who put out the fire.
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Many TV personalities are leaving Los Angeles amid the ongoing wildfires that broke out in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, January 7. “My heart goes out to those affected by the fires here in LA County,” wrote former Bachelorette Katie Thurston. via Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 8. “This is waking up […]
To find out more about how wildfires have affected the world of professional sports, read on.
The Los Angeles Rams are moving their Playoff Game to Arizona
The Los Angeles Rams were forced to cancel their Wild Card round game, which was scheduled to be played at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona.
In an emotional game as it was, the Rams defeated the Vikings 27-9, earning a date with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL’s Divisional Round on Sunday, January 19.
The crowd was filled with Rams fans, many of whom had made the trip from Los Angeles. Kelly StaffordRams quarterback’s wife Matthew Staffordhe was responsible for chartering multiple buses from LA to ensure diehard Rams fans could attend.
“We knew we weren’t the only ones playing,” Matthew, 36, told the media after the game. “We were playing for people at home who needed something to watch and enjoy.”
Lakers, Clippers and Kings All Reschedule Games
The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were all forced to reschedule games as the fires continued to devastate them.
The Lakers’ home games scheduled for Thursday, January 9 and Saturday, January 11 against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs, respectively, have both been postponed. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ home game scheduled for January 11 against the Charlotte Hornets has also been postponed. Fix dates for these games have not been announced.
The Los Angeles Kings have also postponed their home game scheduled for Wednesday, January 8 against the Calgary Flames. No repair date has been announced.
As the wildfires continue to spread across the Los Angeles area, several celebrities are taking to social media to share how they’ve been affected. “It’s out and safe with kids, dogs and cats. Praying and thanking the first responders,” wrote Mandy Moore on Wednesday, January 8, in an Instagram Story statement. In the next post, he […]
On Monday, January 13, the Lakers and Clippers both return to their home floors – the Lakers at downtown L.A’s Crypto.com Arena and the Clippers at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome – for games against the Spurs and Heat, respectively.
“Sports work best when the team, the organization, has a connection to the city and the fans feel a connection to the team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game, a 126-102 loss to the Spurs. “And then it just flows in a kind of eternal circle of that. The Lakers have that with the city of Los Angeles. Having played here and lived here, I know that relationship well. And part of the reason I wanted to coach here was to be a part of that.”
After a 2-1 overtime victory over Winnipeg on Saturday, January 11, the Los Angeles Kings wrote with an X, “For LA 🤍.”
Lakers Coach JJ Redick Loses Home
Los Angeles Lakers coach, JJ Redickhe lost his house in the fire that destroyed Pacific Palisades.
“I’ve been through a lot and everything is gone, and I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like that,” Redick, 40. told reporters on Friday, January 10. “Our home is gone.”
Redick continued, “We spent a year trying to figure out where we wanted to stay long-term.” Everything we had that mattered to us, almost 20 years together as a couple and 10 years of raising children, was in that house. There are certain things that you cannot change, that will never be changed.”
The first-year NBA coach shared a home with his wife, Chelsea Redickand their two sons: Knox10, again Why8.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Loses His Childhood Home
Coach of the Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr he lost his childhood home in Pacific Palisades, which was still occupied by his 90-year-old mother, Ann.
“My mother is in good hands, but her house is gone,” Kerr, 59, told reporters on Thursday, January 9.
Hollywood productions and industry events were canceled amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. “The past two days have brought unprecedented risks to life and property from wildfires in many areas, while also placing great demands on public safety personnel,” wrote the non-profit Film LA in a Wednesday, January 8, production alert. “Greatly appreciate the […]
Kerr added, “That’s my town. All my friends who left there almost all lost their homes – their family homes, their children’s homes. Our high school is gone. The village seems to have been completely destroyed. It’s surreal and devastating. Fortunately, almost everyone escaped. But it’s hard to even understand how Pacific Palisades is rebuilding and becoming a thriving community again. It’s just shocking.”
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Leaves The Team
Los Angeles Clippers star Dear Leonard left the team on Wednesday, January 8 to be with his family, who have a home in Pacific Palisades.
“Of course you have to take care of the house,” the Clippers coach, Tyronn Lueannounced.
Lue added, “I was 100 percent supportive. Going back, he looked at his family and children, making sure they were safe. And he’s back, and they’re going well, so I’m happy and thankful for that.”
Leonard missed the Clippers’ game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, a 126-103 loss, after his first game of the season on Saturday, January 4 after a knee injury kept him out.
According to an NBA insider Chris HynesLeonard’s girlfriend, Kishele Shipleyand the two children of this couple were forced to leave this home.
Per TMZLeonard’s home survived the fire and he returned to the Clippers, appearing in the team’s 109-98 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday, January 13.
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