The Rams football franchise spent 20 years in St. Louis, MO where they won a Super Bowl with Hall of Fame players like Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Issac Bruce & were given the moniker of "The Greatest Show on Turf". However, before the move to St. Louis, they were a longtime L.A. franchise with Hall of Fame players like the great Eric Dickerson.
So I don't know why it's weird to me they moved back to their original city.
Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the United States. But they have been without a professional football team for a long time. They have two NBA teams, two MLB teams, an NHL & MLS team, but went years without a team that participates in the USA's most popular sport: football. I understand the move back home. I also remember when the Rams were in L.A. & how passionate their fanbase is. But at the same time, I don't know if it's passion or status that Los Angeles is really longing for by getting the Rams & professional football back to their city.
Since I live in Charlotte, NC I know what it's like to have a team you love move to another city. The Hornets franchise moved on us to New Orleans. I also know what it's like to have that team return, the excitement in the air that feels like a hurricane of adrenaline surrounding the city. So I get it. But for us, it's still in the air. I don't know if it will be the same for L.A.
If the Rams suck, they have basketball AND hockey season to look forward to (we all know the Lakers & Clippers are perennial playoff favorites for basketball and the Kings are always a good bet to make the playoffs in hockey) . If that's a dead-end for some reason, then baseball is right around the corner. And now that the Rams are back, if the Dodgers or Angels (both top notch, playoff caliber teams as well) aren't making any noise in the playoffs, then the WHOLE cycle starts again with football season. Must be nice.
When the Hornets left Charlotte, all we had was a minor league baseball & hockey team plus a professional football team left. So our loss was greater. Not to discount the gain for the true fans of L.A. that are pictured here:
But, to be honest, I don't think these fans will stay this passionate especially if their team doesn't win consistently. From my understanding most L.A. fans are fair-weather at best. They show up in the 3rd inning & leave during the 7th inning at Dodger games. They expect championships from the Lakers every year and have Hollywood's elite sitting courtside. So I guess it's hard for me to take pity on a general fanbase that probably doesn't have the passion that a mid-west fanbase has.
St. Louis still has an MLB team & an NHL team (which is finally doing well) but now their football team is gone. The worst part is, they are loyal to their core. To have their team go from greatness, then mediocrity, and finally move cities is kind of rough. I feel bad for the hardcore St. Louis fans.
I know I would lose my mind if the Carolina Panthers left Charlotte, let alone the North/South Carolina region. L.A. is also rumored to get the Chargers franchise from San Diego next season (which also blows my mind) and the Raiders are said to be on their way to Las Vegas as well.
It's not that I don't like change, I just don't like when loyal fans get robbed of something they love. This feels like when the Baltimore Colts were ripped away & set-up in Indianapolis. Then the Browns were stolen from the (in my opinion) most loyal fans in any city, Cleveland, Ohio. Then, after decades of stagnation, won a Super Bowl in their new city under a new team name ( The Baltimore Ravens) & all the while the same owner was in control of the team.
Those situations were more due to greed though. This Rams move definitely has a "homecoming" vibe coming from it, not greed. But it's still just weird. When I hear the Rams, I think St. Louis. But if the Chargers & Raiders franchises move too I will probably think of San Diego & Oakland 1st as well. I don't know. What I do know is the Rams will kick off their season as the "Los Angeles Rams" this Monday night & they have a fanbase that can't wait.
But I just don't think that a city like L.A. can appreciate what they have. They already take their other 6 major professional teams for granted. They act as if going to a game is like going to Disneyland instead of acting like it's their duty as fans to support their team.
But, hey, that's just my 2cents....
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