The Rams kicked off their shortened season at SoFi Stadium Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
This was the play that ended it. #Rams 20 #Cowboys 17. #SofiStadium. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/TwkuWzmFZk
"Tonight will be our first memory, but not our last, as SoFi Stadium transforms from renderings to reality. Our new home is ready for the next generation of Rams memories, and it starts tonight against the Dallas Cowboys," Rams COO Kevin Demoff wrote in a statement.
Practicing for field goals that no fans will see, in-person. #Rams #Cowboys. At #SofiStadium. One hour before game time. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/0qdeiSVkW8
This will be the first event to be held at the new $5 billion stadium 50 days after the original opening date was delayed by the pandemic.
"As we open our new Rams House today, I will drive to Inglewood thinking fondly of all that our fans have done to help us prepare for this moment. I remember Tom Bateman and the 60,000 members of Bring Back the LA Rams who captured the NFL's attention and celebrated with us at The Forum. I think of the goosebumps I felt getting off the bus in Oxnard for our scrimmage against the Cowboys and the roar of 91,000 fans when the Red Hot Chili Peppers kicked off our opener against the Seahawks," Demoff wrote.
It's just shocking to see this huge new venue #SofiStadium, on game day, with no traffic in sight. #Rams. #Cowboys. Coming up. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/5DAAb5vlFu
Both the Rams and the Chargers decided back in July to cancel all pre-season games to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
"I can picture our players celebrating with the Melonheads after beating the Vikings on Thursday Night Football, feel a city united in joy after Gerald Everett scored to beat the Chiefs, and hear the roar of the entire building when CJ Anderson dove in from the one-yard line on fourth down to beat the Cowboys in the playoffs. The "Cooooop" chants that punctuated the air following Cooper Kupp's amazing catch and run against the Saints still reverberate. Our fans' energy and excitement as they sent us off from SoFi Stadium to the Super Bowl continue to drive us. My lasting image of the Rams in the Coliseum is our smiling fans taking pictures on the field following the final game last season," Demoff wrote.
The stadium won't hold any real fans today. Instead, cardboard cut-outs of die-hard fans will fill some of the 70,000 seats throughout the stadium.
