Jared Goff raising money for CA wildfire relief efforts, Social Roundup, Rams Win vs. Jaguars 27-17, Taste Of The Rams, Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer, Rams and California Milk, Between The Horns, Los Angeles Rams Weekly

The Rams of course won last week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-17. The team plays in Twickenham in the United Kingdom on Sunday this week.

The Defense played really well throughout the entire game. I felt like the team had full control over the game even though they won by only 10 points.

The Offense was fueled by the fact that Todd Gurley would fall for 8 yards every carry. He ended up with a 110 yards on 23 carries (about 5 yards per carry).

What I loved was how the team controlled the game and actually won it this time. Because last week, I felt like controlled the game (they especially controlled the first half of last weeks game vs the Seahawks) but lost it.

The Special Team players won the game for the entire team. They had a blocked punt that was scored for a touchdown and then on the very first play of the game, Pharaoh Cooper ran back the leagues first kickoff return for a touchdown all year so far (103 yard run).

The team just landed in London about an hour ago which leads me to say that this week's game is in the United Kingdom at that Twickenham Stadium. They played there last year and lost a game that was just so hard to watch (vs. The Giants). Obviously this year is a totally different team coach wise, however, the team prepared for this trip. I know they stayed all week in Jacksonville and then again, they flew out overseas last night / this AM our time. The thing about this week's game is that I am not sure what in gods name is up with the Arizona Cardinals. They had a good week last Sunday and I think i heard that Adrian Peterson started playing for them and I think he did well in that debut. On paper, the Cardinal team looks good but they have lost some games this year where they just did not show up so to speak. That makes me nervous but if we can control the game again, that is what we need to happen.

First things first though, along with with my god daughter and best friend who are dropping off goods for the people in Sonoma County today, Jared Goff raising money for CA wildfire relief efforts

Natural disasters have been a sad fact of life in our country for the past three months, from Hurricane Harvey in Texas, to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, to the wildfires of Northern California.

Texans star J.J. Watt showed just how powerful a celebrity voice could be in times of need when he raised nearly $40 million in disaster relief for Harvey victims in Houston and its surrounding areas. Now Rams quarterback Jared Goff has launched a GoFundMe page to help his hometown in need.

Here's Goff in his words:
Being from the Bay Area and more specifically the North Bay Area the recent fires in the Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa area have hit literally close to home for me. Like many others from the area, I know many families that have been seriously affected by this tragedy by losing loved ones or entire homes. I wanted to start this fund to try and help some of those families and people in need at this time. I've been working with members of the local community there to make sure the money donated goes to the correct places. Along with my personal donation, I've set up this site to help raise money for the families affected by this tragedy. All of the funds donated will go directly to the fire survivors through the Sonoma County Fire Account.

After two days, Goff is more than halfway (almost 35K) to his fundraising goal of $50,000. It doesn't have to stop there, either. Watt set his original goal at $200,000 and ended up raising 185 times that amount.

Yes, the internet can be weaponized for the betterment of mankind, too. Good for Goff and best wishes to everyone who's been affected by these recent events.

If you want to donate to Goff's cause, head over to his GoFundMe page.

Quarterback Jared Goff appeared on the Dan Patrick Show with guest host Ross Tucker on Monday morning, following the Rams 24-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the win, the Rams improve to 4-2 on the season and currently sit atop the NFC West standings.

Goff discussed a variety of different topics with Tucker including the team's schedule for the week ahead. Los Angeles will remain in Florida until Thursday when they travel across the pond to the United Kingdom to face off against the Cardinals. Goff also talked about preparing for the long road trip and what his experience was playing in London last season.

He then discussed the biggest differences between his rookie year and second season as well as the team moral thus far. Finally, the former Cal standout told Tucker what it's like being one of the youngest players on the Rams' roster.

You can listen to the full audio interview by clicking the link below.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Taste of the Rams Helps Provide More Than 1.2 Million Meals for Angelinos

It was an evening featuring some of LA’s top chefs, Rams players, cheerleaders, and many awe-struck fans in one vicinity. As the 400 attendees sampled LA’s finest culinary dishes at the exclusive tasting event, many smiling faces roamed the venue to greet, take photos and request autographs from their favorite players on their most beloved team.

The second annual “Taste of the Rams” event, which was held on Monday, October 9th at the Globe Theatre located at Universal Studios, benefited the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to assist their efforts in providing meals to less fortunate families in the LA region. In its two years of existence in Los Angeles, the Taste of the Rams event has raised more than $310,000, which translates to 1,240,000 meals to Angelinos in need.

Click here to watch video highlights!

“We’re really pleased to be partnering with the Rams at the second annual Taste of the Rams event,” said Michael Flood, CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “It raises awareness for the issue, hunger, that we have here in the local area. It’s raising funds for the cause and it’s also involving the chef community. It’s a really great event.”

Honorary chairman for the Taste of the Rams event, running back Todd Gurley, has a history of service with the Food Bank during his youth in North Carolina. This year, Gurley wanted to play a significant role for the cause in his new home city.

"It's great to be the honorary chairman of the Taste of the Rams," Gurley said on the red carpet.

Gurley’s leadership included recruiting some of his teammates to join him in the effort.

“Todd was an incredible honorary chair,” said Molly Higgins, Vice President of Community Affairs and Engagement for the Rams. “Not only did Todd step up and put his name behind the event, he also used his influence in the locker room to encourage his teammates to come out and support the Food Bank. It was an awesome team effort to help combat hunger – an unfortunate reality for far too many Angelinos.”

Gurley was joined at the event by offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, wide receivers Sammy Watkins, Tavon Austin, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper, Josh Reynolds and Mike Thomas, tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, defensive linemen Dom Easley and Tanzel Smart, defensive backs Dom Hatfield and John Johnson, linebackers Robert Quinn and Samson Ebukam and fullback Sam Rogers.

NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano, who is also the Rams preseason play-by-play announcer, served as the host for the evening. Siciliano introduced the players to the crowd and explained the purpose of the event and the work being done by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

“This is my favorite event of the year because it’s a party with a purpose,” said Siciliano. “We’re not just here to raise a glass and have a nice meal. People have no idea how many people are affected by hunger and don’t know when their next meal may be. And you can tell Todd really cares about this, which is huge. This is something that he took part in and cared about when he was in North Carolina. I think that the great turnout from his teammates tonight speaks to that.”

The Taste of the Rams event provided unique opportunities for some of LA’s best local chefs to connect and witness the reactions of their “samplers.” The LA chefs were thrilled to provide tasty food for the cause and are excited the Rams intend to advance the event into what they hope will become an annual tradition.

“This event is a good way to give back. Obviously as chefs, our biggest joy is putting a smile on your face after you eat,” said Benjamin Udave, Executive Chef at Sysco’s Los Angeles. “But how many kids are out there that don’t get that opportunity? So anytime we can do something together as a team collaborating with the rest of the chefs that are out here… We’d love to do it more than once a year. If we could do it again, we’d do it tomorrow. The Rams are so supportive to the community, I can’t think of a better team, better people, better organization to help develop this event.”

Some of LA’s most decorated Chefs who supported the cause were: Vartan Abgaryan (71 Above), Dave Histed (Pavilions), Wilfrid Hocquet (GEORGIE), Ted Hopson, (The Bellwether), Bruce Kalman (UNION), Jessica Largey (SIMONE) Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (Border Grill), Steve Samson (SOTTO and RossobluI), Adam Sobel (Cal Mare),Yoya Takahashi (UMI) and Benjamin Udave (Sysco).

For 44 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize resources in the community to alleviate hunger. Under the leadership of President and CEO Michael Flood and Board Chairman David Bishop, the L.A. Food Bank provides food to more than 300,000 people monthly in Los Angeles. It collects food from hundreds of resources, which it distributes through a network of 625 partner agencies throughout Los Angeles County. With the help of 27,000 volunteers annually, 97 percent of funds raised and in-kind donations go directly to programs. In 2017, over a billion people are scheduled to be fed by the organization.

Rams Support Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer. As part of last weekend’s kickoff to the 2017 Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign, the Rams dedicated their contest against the Seahawks as their “Crucial Catch” game. This year, the National Football League and the American Cancer Society (ACS) expanded their efforts to support the fight against cancer by addressing early detection and risk reduction efforts for all cancers.

To bring additional attention to the effort, the below 12 players, who have a personal connection to cancer, were allowed to wear cleats and wristbands in the color representing the cancer that impacted their life.

Player	Cancer	Color
DB - Blake Countess	Breast Cancer	Pink
S - Cody Davis	Kidney Cancer & Leukemia	Orange
WR - Cooper Kupp	Brain Cancer	Grey
T - Cornelius Lucas	Leukemia	Orange
G - Jamon Brown	Breast Cancer	Pink
P - Johnny Hekker	Lymphoma	Lime Green
WR - Josh Reynolds	Multiple Myeloma	Maroon
S - Marqui Christian	Lung Cancer	Pearl
DE - Morgan Fox	Skin Cancer	Black
WR - Robert Woods	Sarcoma	Yellow
WR - Tavon Austin	Breast Cancer	Pink
TE - Tyler Higbee	Prostate Cancer	Light Blue

The Rams Foundation and players including Derek Carrier, Blake Countess, Cody Davis, Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, John Johnson, Trumaine Johnson and Sammy Watkins also joined forces to make a charitable donation to American Cancer Society based on the number of receptions and interceptions during the “Crucial Catch” game. With 22 receptions and two interceptions, the Rams will make a $35,400 donation to American Cancer Society to support the fight against cancer.

Additional game day support included the team recognizing 100 fans - who have fought or are currently battling cancer - in the end zone as the players took the field. The team also hosted a variety of non-profits and the cancer patients and families they serve. A few of the non-profits in attendance were the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Skin Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish and the Padres Contra El Cancer. Furthermore, volunteers from Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) were positioned outside the Coliseum passing out pink breast cancer awareness ribbons to fans as they entered into the stadium.

Since 2009, the league’s A Crucial Catch campaign has raised more than $18 million for the American Cancer Society (ACS). All Money raised through Crucial Catch supports the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program. On Wednesday, October 11, the $50,000 CHANGE grant funded a free adult health screening event at Venice Family Clinic’s Irma Colen Heath Center in Mar Vista. The event was free to attend and open to the public.

As part of this year’s campaign, the NFL and ACS also recently launched a new, digital tool – THE DEFENDER – that provides consumers with personalized tips to reduce their cancer risk. The Defender, funded by the NFL and developed by ACS, analyzes user-input health information to provide individuals with quick, informative and personalized recommendations on how he or she can take action to reduce his or her cancer risk. More than 50% of all cancers can be prevented through simple lifestyle modifications, like avoiding tobacco, sun exposure, staying fit and healthy through proper nutrition and physical activity. The free user-friendly tool allows fans to take control of their health and increase their understanding of how healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce their cancer risk. Fans may access The Defender at TheDefender.cancer.org.

On the Road Again, Rams Gear Up for London. The Rams face a tough travel schedule ahead as they fly across the pond for a game in London in Week 7. But despite all the travel, the Rams will try to maintain a normal routine in Florida. , Click for the full report and video footage!

Rams and California Milk Advisory Board Provide $10,000 Hometown Grant

The Los Angeles Rams along with Fuel Up to Play 60 and the California Milk Advisory Board presented Inglewood Unified School District with a $10,000 ‘Hometown Grant’ at Highland Elementary.

Sunday’s NFC West matchup against the Cardinals will be broadcast live on Fox. Kickoff at Twickenham Stadium in London is set for 10 a.m.

BROADCAST INFO

- TELEVISION: The game will be available live on Fox with play-by-play provided by Sam Rosen and color analysis from Ronde Barber. Kristina Pink will be the sideline reporter.

- RADIO: Sunday’s contest will be broadcast on ESPN LA English Radio on ESPN 710 AM and 100.3 The Sound FM (Play-by-play and sideline reporting provided by: J.B. Long, D’Marco Farr, and Dani Klupenger). Plus, tune into 1330 AM for ESPN Deportes' live Spanish broadcast of the game with Troy Santiago and Ricardo Lopez on the call. 

- SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow the Rams on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchatfor live updates and behind-the-scenes content before, during, and after the game.

- ONLINE: The game will not be available live via NFL Game Pass*. However, fans will still be able to watch replays of every game and so much more! Click here to sign up for your FREE 7-day trial and start getting unprecedented access to every game, all year long.

*For domestic subscribers NFL Game Pass does not include live regular season, playoff, or Super Bowl game broadcasts, as well as some preseason games broadcasts. Access to these games is available within NFL Game Pass on an on-demand basis in the NFL Game Pass archives. International subscribers are able to watch both preseason and regular season games as they happen with certain restrictions. Audio feeds may be subject to availability. 2009-2011 games are temporarily unavailable. For a full description of features, requirement, limitations, and other information, visit our FAQ at NFL.com/help/GamePass.

Diary Of A Ram Fan. A satirical look at more than 75 years of Football's Rams history, combined with discussions of American Exceptionalism and almost 50 years of personal experience in the life of a Rams Fan. The history parallels and intertwines life to form a humorous, yet serious look at American History, World History, an American Football team, and Political Science.

Don Lichterman

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