On Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Chargers will face off against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in the first game of the NFL playoffs. While the Chargers have worked hard all year to reach Wild Card Weekend, everyone in the organization has a lot on their mind due to the wildfires in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Chargers Pay Tribute to Los Angeles Fire Department
Prior to Saturday’s game against the Texans, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was spotted wearing an LAFD hat during pregame warmups in a tribute to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert is warming up wearing an LAFD hat. pic.twitter.com/ue0VO3R1Ur
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 11, 2025
Shortly after, it became clear that the entire team was donning LAFD hats and shirts in order to show support for the LAFD, who have been battling the wildfires in recent days.
According to the Los Angeles Times, at least 10 people have been killed while more than 9,000 homes and buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the L.A. County fires, making this one of the most devastating wildfires in the region’s history.
The Chargers are wearing "LAFD" shirts in support of the firefighters in Los Angeles.
📸 @chargers pic.twitter.com/pLAk2BGE0f
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 11, 2025
While the Chargers are playing on the road against the Texans, the Los Angeles Rams’ Wild Card Round game against the Minnesota Vikings was recently moved from L.A.’s SoFi Stadium to Arizona’s State Farm Stadium due to the wildfires.
“In the interest of public safety, Monday’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card game has been moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals,” the NFL announced recently. “The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA.”
The league will also be raising money for the communities affected by the wildfires during this weekend’s NFL games. Also, the NFL recently announced that ownership groups from the Chargers, Rams, Vikings, Texans, and the NFL Foundation made a $5 million donation to local organizations helping those impacted by the wildfires.
“We are heartbroken over the devastating losses experienced by so many in the Los Angeles area and inspired by the heroism of first responders and residents who have supported their neighbors,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“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.”
On Saturday, the Chargers will try to defeat the Texans and advance to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, giving their fans in Los Angeles something to take their mind off the devastating events impacting their community.