The NFL announced it will donate $5 million to wildfire relief efforts as Southern California continues to battle devastating wildfires.
“Led by individual contributions from clubs and ownership groups of the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans and the NFL Foundation, these funds will deliver vital resources to local organizations supporting those affected by the wildfires,” he said. the NFL in a statement on Friday.
“We are heartbroken by the devastating losses experienced by so many people in the Los Angeles area and are inspired by the heroism of first responders and residents who have supported their neighbors,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
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Two people ride bicycles in an area damaged by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Jae C. Hong/AP)
“The NFL family is committed to working with the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams to support their local communities in their time of need.”
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More than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed by fire as of Friday morning, authorities confirmed. Officials also confirmed that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst and Lidia fires burned more than 27,000 acres in the Los Angeles area.
The Vikings and the Wilf Family Foundation announced a $1 million donation to relief efforts. Brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf and their cousin Leonard Wilf own the Vikings.
“The Vikings and Wilf Family Foundations are providing a $1 million contribution to support on-the-ground relief efforts in communities impacted by the California wildfires,” the Vikings statement read.
Smoke from recent fires obscures the sun at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Also on Friday, the Houston Texans confirmed a $1 million contribution to “provide support and resources to those who have been affected by the wildfires.”
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SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, was originally scheduled to host Monday’s NFC wild-card round game between the Rams and Vikings. But the NFL moved the game to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals, as wildfires continue to rage through the region.
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, January 5, 2025, before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. (Matt Kartozian/Image Images)
On Thursday, a fire broke out a few miles from the Rams’ training complex in Woodland Hills, California, and smoke could be seen from the team’s practice field, ESPN reported. The Rams and Chargers are scheduled to play playoff games this weekend and both teams practiced outdoors on Thursday. Some Chargers players opted to wear masks during practice.
On Friday afternoon, ESPN reported that the Cardinals sent one of their Boeing 777 planes to Los Angeles to transport Rams players, staff, their families and some mascots to Arizona. The Cardinals are also making their practice complex available to the Rams, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers said the franchise will provide $200,000 in targeted funding to the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Team Rubicon and pet rescue organizations sheltering animals displaced by the wildfires.
FOX Corporation has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross’s California wildfire relief efforts. The donation will help the agency. provide safe shelter, hot meals, emotional support and resources to aid in the region’s recovery.
FOX Corporation, which continues to be an annual partner of the Disaster Giving Program, encourages viewers to contribute to help families affected by the devastating wildfires. To donate, visit GO.FOX/RED CROSS
You can find a list of available shelters compiled by the American Red Cross in Los Angeles here.
