(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: Although the Rams did not fully measure up to their millions of faithful fans’ expectations for the 2022 NFL season, in a great post-season community event, the incomparable franchise still managed to absolutely win, now more than ever, the hearts of their youngest group of fans.

Here’s the story why the youthful members of the Challengers Clubhouse are extremely happy with the Rams showcasing their facility by hosting this celebratory community event. On January 12th, #77/Andrew Whitworth, the 2021 Super Bowl LVI Champion and 4 x All-Pro offensive tackle and the Rams’ very active corporate community outreach team, visited their Clubhouse, located at 50th and Vermont Ave., in South Los Angeles. As a result of his being selected the winner of 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the $250,000 donation, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide, that was awarded to Whitworth, he designated the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro L.A.& Challengers Clubhouse as the charitable contribution of his choice.

The fruition of his thoughtful and giving effort became a reality at the Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of an Astro-Turf styled refurbished track & field, modified now to also incorporate a pristine flag football field. The former Rams All-Pro certainly achieved his goal of providing the community’s youth, ages 8-13, an opportunity to learn basic Flag football playing skills on the field. For the event, his initials, AW and #77 were painted on the turf near the 30 yard line. It must also be included here that Bridgestone and Cedars-Sinai provided their invaluable and much-appreciated support to Whitworth’s generously charitable donation. 

{"slidestoshow":3,"slidestoscroll":1,"dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"true","autoplay_interval":3000,"speed":300,"loop":"true","lazyload":""}

[Photo Gallery]: Rico Cabrera, Sr., East L.A. Sports Scene Productions, LLC

On hand for the afternoon festivities that day were representatives from: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro L.A., Patrick Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer; Skai Thompson, Director of Health and Wellness; and Alejandra Viera, Site Director, Challengers Clubhouse, who also served as the event’s MC; Bridgestone, (the official tire sponsor of the Rams), Bridgestone Retail Operations, Region Manager, Brandon Gleason; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (the official health partner of the Rams), and its Executive Directors of Women’s & Guerin Children’s, Michelle Souza and Cindy Chavira. During the event’s media availability and recognition of the representatives, Bridgestone’s, Brandon Gleason also presented a $10,000 check to Mr. Mahoney and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro L.A. Each representative addressed the crowd that was composed of 100 Clubhouse youth, their coaches, mentors, as well as Challengers’ staff members, and parents who were able to attend.  

In addition, the huge youth, and all-ages fan-favorite, Rams mascot, Rampage, and several of the Rams Cheerleading Team members were present and took lots of time to interact with the kids and their coaches during the event and the Free flag football clinic. 

After the Ribbon-Cutting ceremony, the new turf field became the main attraction as Rams’ and Challengers’ staff members conducted their first practice session with the kids on the brand new surface. Every participant was given instructions along with some basic drills of learning the sport of Flag Football. A fun and great time was experienced by all, and for good measure, every Clubhouse member was given a Rams’ Super Bowl 56 cap and a camp T-shirt to commemorate the event. The great news from the Coaches was that the first Rams Flag Football League at Challengers Field was scheduled to start at the beginning of February. 

We present our story in its entirety with an excellent photo gallery in addition to the video. We hope you will enjoy our production and share it with others.