INGLEWOOD — The SoFi Stadium video board host appeared exhausted and defeated after he shouted “Whose House” into the microphone while the stands were covered in red before the Rams faced the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC championship on Sunday.
The host wasted his energy because most fans who were already seated 45 minutes before kickoff wanted him off the screen and for the thrilling AFC Championship game to resume between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs.
Rams fans were heavily outnumbered by the rival fan base from up north, but they were also in attendance at SoFi Stadium, despite the lack of response the video board host received.
Most Rams fans had the same sentiment: “Sure, it’s Rams House, but why waste your breath?”
“It doesn’t bother me in any way,” Danielle Starks, a long-time Rams fan, said about seeing 49ers fans invade SoFi Stadium. “No ways.”
Starks’ mother, Susan Jones, didn’t mind the 49ers fans because she used to be a San Francisco fan before the Rams moved back to Southern California in 2016. Jones lives down the street in South Central and decided it would be convenient to root for the hometown team.
“It’s the best of both worlds for me,” Jones said. “That’s why I became a (Rams) season ticket holder. I’m at home.”
Rams fans understand the situation and they know how much money can be made by selling their tickets to 49ers fans on the secondary market. The NFL left for a few decades, forcing Southern California fans to look elsewhere to itch their football fandom, like rooting for the 49ers.
But sure, Rams House.
SoFi Stadium looking like Levi’s Stadium #Rams #49ers pic.twitter.com/DuUImKGP4G
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) January 30, 2022
Niners fans and Rams fans cheered after the Bengals upset the Chiefs for the right to play at SoFi Stadium in a few weeks for Super Bowl LVI.
“It’s a nice stadium,” said Allen Kong, a San Francisco native and 49ers fan who made the trip south. “Way better than what we have (at Levi’s Stadium).”
The Rams fans’ chants got louder the closer it got to game time. But most were tired about hearing about the 49ers’ takeover at SoFi Stadium.
“I hope the Rams win, but I’m glad to see them playing Frisco,” Jones said.
ON THE MOVE?
Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell has emerged as a leading candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching job, according to national reports Sunday.
O’Connell has worked closely with quarterbacks Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford in his two seasons on Rams coach Sean McVay’s staff.
O’Connell, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, and running backs coach and assistant head coach Thomas Brown have drawn interest from teams with head-coach openings this offseason.
This story will be updated soon
Already a loud atmosphere as #49ers and #Rams fans enter SoFi Stadium pic.twitter.com/dlS0GMban3
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) January 30, 2022
Mana and football on the big screen. This place was rocking when the Bengals tied the game 21-21 #Rams #Niners @SoFiStadium pic.twitter.com/uO8zQQBFQN
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) January 30, 2022