NFL-League donates $5 million to support Los Angeles wildfire relief

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By Rory Carroll

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -NFL teams and the league’s charitable arm are donating a combined $5 million to support those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, the NFL said on Friday, as the region reels from the devastating infernos.

Multiple fires have killed 10 people so far and razed thousands of homes, throwing daily life into chaos across the sprawling metropolis this week.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans joined the NFL Foundation in making the donation, with the funds directed to local organizations providing support to those impacted in 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 in a statement.

Rams players will wear custom Los Angeles Fire Department hats and shirts during Monday’s wild card playoff game, which was moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to the fires.

“The league did the right thing,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of the decision to move to the game. “And I think it’s a real credit to a lot of people in our organization to be able to seamlessly adjust.”

McVay’s family evacuated their home in Hidden Hills on Thursday due to a wildfire threat.

While his wife, Veronica, and son, Jordan, were unharmed and the house was spared, McVay said the evacuation made the situation feel “a lot more real.”

“When you see as the smoke rose up yesterday, there were a lot of guys that live in proximity and that hits home in a different way,” he said.

“As soon as I knew Veronica and Jordan were good, I was good as well.”

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles and Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris and Leslie Adler)