Former Rams star Andrew Whitworth rallied the team's fans and the city of Los Angeles with a moving speech Monday night.
Wildfires laid siege to Los Angeles last week, ravaging the city at a deadly pace, leveling entire neighborhoods and reducing thousands of homes to ash and rubble.
As Angelenos still recover from the devastation that displaced thousands of people and killed at least 24, their beloved Rams took on the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the NFL Wild Card weekend.
Ahead of the playoff matchup, which was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona due to the deadly infernos, Whitworth issued a rallying cry to the City of Angels.
Addressing Angelenos who traveled to State Farm Stadium and the thousands more who were forced to flee their homes over the past week, the former tackle gave an impassioned speech from the field.
“Over the past week, our Los Angeles region has been devastated 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 devastated. And there is still much to do.
Andrew Whitworth gave a rallying cry to Los Angeles before the Rams game on Monday
Angelenos recover from devastating wildfires that killed at least 24 people
'The courage and bravery of our firefighters and first responders demonstrate that real-life heroes live among us.
'But I believe in the people of Los Angeles. We are strong. This devastation will not define us. We will rebuild Los Angeles. Hand in hand, for as long as it takes and whatever the cost, we will rebuild it together.
'Los Angeles, I love you. We love you and we are with you.”
Whitworth spent five seasons with the Rams between 2017 and 2021 and helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI, which turned out to be his final game in the NFL.
The former player turned broadcaster was not the only one to pay tribute to the firefighters and first responders who battled the hellish conditions on the front lines to contain the fires.
As a growing force of firefighters continues to battle brutal conditions on the front lines in Los Angeles, the Rams honored their hometown heroes.
Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay and company. They wore special t-shirts that said 'LAFD', in the team's colors, as the players took the field to warm up, while a moment of silence was held before the game to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy.
Singer Rachel Platten, who performed her 2015 hit 'Fight Song' before the players took the field, gave a moving rendition of the national anthem.
Rams stars (pictured by Cooper Kupp) wore t-shirts honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department
Rams fans traveled to Arizona to support their team in the midst of the tragedy.
The singer fought back tears as the final note of her emotionally charged rendition of the Star Spangled Banner echoed throughout the stadium.
Deadly fires broke out in Los Angeles last week, with flames quickly sweeping through the city, leaving destruction and devastation in their wake.
In less than a week, four fires around America's second-largest city have burned more than 62 square miles, about three times the size of Manhattan, and entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble and ash.
McVay's team headed to the desert Friday night and used its division rival's practice facility all weekend.
The Cardinals opened their training facility in Tempe for the Rams' use, and there was a large banner reading “Welcome Los Angeles Rams” with both teams' logos on the front door.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill even sent two team planes to Los Angeles on Friday to help the team travel to Arizona. Rams players were allowed to bring their families, and even some pets, for the trip.