The Los Angeles Rams' Wild Card playoff game descended into somber and emotional scenes as their home city lay in rubble and devastation 374 miles away Monday. The Rams' playoff showdown against the Minnesota Vikings was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona because of the ongoing fires that continue to rage through Los Angeles.
![[Firefighters continue to battle the brutal conditions on the frontlines back in Los Angeles]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/00/94059301-0-image-a-1_1736814505019.jpg)
Massive infernos continued to wreak devastation across the City of Angels Monday as more powerful winds moved in and threatened recent progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. And, following a week of turmoil and tragedy, singer Rachel Platten struggled to keep her tears at bay as she performed an emotionally-charged rendition of the national anthem.
![[Rams stars (pictured Cooper Kupp) wore t-shirts honoring LA's fire department]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/01/94059647-14280875-image-a-24_1736819034070.jpg)
The American singer-songwriter was caught breaking down into tears as the final note of the Star Spangled Banner rang out around State Farm Stadium. As the songstress sang a touching rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, Los Angeles' NFL players were also moved by the moment.
![[A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/00/94022859-0-A_fire_fighting_helicopter_drops_water_as_the_Palisades_fire_gro-a-2_1736814546043.jpg)
Rachel Platten burst into tears after performing the national anthem before Rams-Vikings. Firefighters continue to battle the brutal conditions on the frontlines back in Los Angeles. Tonight’s national anthem performed by singer songwriter and author Rachel Platten pic.twitter.com/19VBeVtr6V.
![[Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford wore a Los Angeles City Fire Department hoodie Monday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/00/94055715-0-Rams_quarterback_Matthew_Stafford_wore_a_Los_Angeles_City_Fire_D-a-3_1736814549706.jpg)
ESPN's broadcast panned over Rams stars Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, who appeared choked up on the sidelines, while head coach Sean McVay was caught looking glassy-eyed. As a growing force of firefighters continue to battle the brutal conditions on the frontlines back in Los Angeles, the Rams honored their hometown heroes earlier in the evening.
![[The Rams' fanbase made the journey to Arizona to support their team amid the tragedy]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/01/94061097-14280875-image-a-25_1736819067130.jpg)
