Fred Hernandez and Ronnie Briano

When Fred Hernandez and Ronnie Briano flew from Fresno to St. Louis in December for the Rams' final regular season game in St. Louis, they were on a mission.

"I said, 'We're going to bring the Rams back to LA,'" Hernandez said. "We had our flags that said 'Bring Back Our LA Rams.'"

A month later, the Rams announced their return to Los Angeles -- 22 years after the team had departed from LA for St. Louis.

Speaking at their tailgate Saturday ahead of the Rams preseason matchup against the Chiefs, the duo was quick to take credit for the team's move, even as the NFL team owners had the final say. (Many experts credit Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for swaying the owners' opinions in LA's favor).

Nonetheless, Hernandez and Briano said their Fresno group of Rams fans plans to make the trip for every home game this season.

"If I can go to St. Louis, I can definitely come down to Los Angeles," Briano said.

Hernandez and Briano are just a couple of the thousands of Rams fans who feel the team's return is the fulfillment of a prophecy.

From rowdy tailgates to more subdued get-togethers, Rams fans expressed a deep relief at having NFL football back in Los Angeles.

Riley Barrie

Twenty-two years ago, Riley Barrie attended his first NFL game -- a Rams game at the LA Coliseum. It would turn out to be his last NFL game in Los Angeles until last week, when Barrie attended the Rams' first preseason game of the season against the Cowboys.

This week, he brought his teenage son, Ashton, to his first NFL game -- and yes, it was a Rams game at the Coliseum.

Barrie said he and his son have been going to USC football games for the past three years, but the return of the Rams will only expand their shared passion for football.

Barrie has also found work as a massage therapist for the Rams and said the team has great chemistry.

"The vibe amongst the team is really great," he said.

Delray Gregory

Two hours before, kickoff, Delray Gregory sat outside the Coliseum in his wheelchair.

He couldn't afford a ticket to the game, but wanted to come support his team outside the stadium anyway.

"I've been a Rams fan since they were here," he said.

Gregory has been homeless in downtown Los Angeles for 18 months and he's hopeful the team will be an economic boon to Los Angeles.

"I'm glad they're back because it brings money and jobs," he said.

Other fans who weren't living in Los Angeles when the Rams left in 1994 said they're newer to the team, but no less excited about the team's arrival.

"They're here now and we don't want them to go away," said Jeff Hernandez, who moved to Los Angeles in 2001 from the East Coast, where he became a New England Patriots fan. He said he'll be rooting for the Rams every week except week 13 -- when they play the Patriots.

Daniela Flores, Hernandez's girlfriend and a Los Angeles native, said she was excited to have the chance to finally attend a "home" NFL game in Los Angeles.

"We get to experience a home game!" she said excitedly as she and Hernandez walked towards the Coliseum.