LA Ends Its 21-Year NFL Drought With Rams' Announced Return
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — When the Rams announced their return to the Los Angeles area Tuesday night after 21 years away, hundreds of their long-faithful fans celebrated in the streets from downtown to Inglewood.
Winning over the rest of the Southland's 18 1/2 million people is going to take a bit longer, but the Rams have a head start on rebuilding something special when they restore professional football to the nation's second-largest market this fall.
The NFL officially approved the Rams to return to the city where they played for 49 years before leaving after the 1994 season, and Los Angeles should know soon whether the Chargers will join them this fall.
After two decades of false starts and wrong turns on the NFL's road back, Los Angeles wasn't exactly filled with citywide joy — but true Rams fans celebrated.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Transcript Of Roger Goodell's News Conference Announcing Return Of Rams
"It's something that I never thought I'd see again," said Rodney Lusain, 44, of Inglewood. "You know, 21 years is a long time. You lose hope from time to time, but the dream stayed alive. My 'Ram-ily' out here wouldn't let the dream die, and now we're waking up to a new reality. The Rams are coming home!"
A few fans in Rams gear walked through the downtown LA Live entertainment complex in festive moods. The mood was even better in suburban Inglewood, where a large group of steadfast Los Angeles Rams boosters gathered at the site of Rams owner Stan Kroenke's proposed stadium, which is expected to open in 2019.
Those supporters waved yellow and blue flags and chanted "LA Rams!"
One fan at the rally waved a giant cut-out of the head of Kroenke, which has become a talisman for Rams fans since the franchise's visit to Southern California for two days of training camp five months ago. Kroenke plans to use private funds to build a sprawling, $2.66 billion complex at Hollywood Park centered on a domed stadium that will host the Rams and perhaps another team — and conceivably every event from the Final Four to the World Cup.
The Rams have moved to this town before: In January 1946, Cleveland Rams owner Dan Reeves overcame other NFL owners' objections and moved his team to the West Coast, citing losses at home and the boundless opportunities in L.A.
Almost exactly 70 years to the day later, Kroenke used some of the same reasoning to justify the reversal of the decision made by the late Georgia Frontiere to move her late husband's team to St. Louis.
"With the NFL returning home, Los Angeles cements itself as the epicenter of the sports world," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a major proponent of the city's 2024 Olympic bid. "We cannot wait to welcome the Rams, and perhaps others soon, as they join a storied lineup of professional franchises, collegiate powerhouses, and sports media companies."
Former Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO despite the past, bringing the team back to the Southland could fill a longtime void in the local sports scene.
"We have basketball, we have baseball, we have soccer, hockey - we've got it all, but SC and UCLA just doesn't do it for football," Ferragamo said. "When you don't have something, you really realize how much you miss it, so now that they're back, I'm sure we're really going to support it."
Los Angeles' enthusiasm is likely to be tempered at least until the Rams take the Coliseum field for their exhibition opener in August. After all, any Angelenos currently old enough to buy alcohol were alive when Frontiere and Raiders owner Al Davis ripped their teams out of town almost simultaneously after years of declining attendance and fan interest.
NFL apathy still exists among many fans with long memories, while younger fans have grown to love other franchises while watching the NFL's best teams on television every weekend.
The Rams are joining a packed sports landscape that includes two baseball teams, two NBA teams, two NHL teams, two major college athletics programs and a host of individual sports.
Still, splitting that sports fan pie can only mean more money and jobs for Inglewood.
CBS2's Amy Johnson asked residents there about the economic impact on the community.
"There will be 22,000 construction jobs," said Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Jr., "during the 6-7 year build out. And there will be 12,000 permanent part time jobs."
All around town, business owners are expecting the area to flourish.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
