LA Rams fans see the beginnings of something big (and for some, even a family) – Orange County Register

The boys made their own Lombardi Cup. Now THAT is team loyalty.

The trophy, crafted from aluminum foil by Raymond and Ronny Padilla, may not have the same value on the open market as the real thing, but the shiny silver replica of the NFL championship logo has world significance to the family. boys.

Of course, the brothers were supposed to go to school. But their grandfather, Phillip Padilla, thought the Los Angeles Rams’ victory parade and rally at the Memorial Arena on Wednesday, February 16, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The boys would catch up on math and science, but Wednesday’s celebration provided the boys with a history lesson.

“This is the third generation Ramily,” said eldest brother Padilla.

Don’t badmouth them, but Raymond Padilla and Ronny Padilla should go to school. Instead, they are here at the Colosseum with their grandfather Phillip Padilla, who had been @RamsNFL fan from the 1960s. pic.twitter.com/Ys6SNYYIeB

– Brennon Dixson (@TheBrennonD) February 16, 2022

The family set off from Coachella at 4 a.m., led by Mr. Phillip, a Rams fan since the 1960s, to Exposition Park. They drive well worth it,” he said.

“And we are going to grow even more with successes like this,” he said, “which is great because you see people loving each other and having a good time.”

The boys’ trophy is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, but they only take a few hours to make. For the once and future LA Rams, who won their first title as Angelenos Sunday, as you saw on TV on Sunday night it was a much longer process – and it really is a work in progress. conducted.

The Rams, who rallied to beat the upstart Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium, are sometimes caught around the league for generating less fan frenzy than some NFL teams other. After all, they outnumbered the red and gold-covered side of their dome team, the San Francisco 49ers, in two key home games this year. That makes fans of the Rams something to behold among NDL pros.

Voter turnout on Wednesday was virtually unchanged. There was a show of teamwork among fans who packed the Expo Park area to overflow for Wednesday’s parade and pep rally.

“It is a very special day for Los Angeles. We’ve been waiting for this day for so long,” said “Gus“ Ramator” Obregon, adorned with a combination of Rams colors and sci-fi-inspired equipment.

Obregon was among the fans who arrived at the scene of parades and rallies early — some just after dawn — hoping to get a prime shot of the celebration.

The familiar blue and yellow Rams clothes can be seen on the street. But one Rams booster has shown how he sticks to his allegiance 24/7. Antelope Valley’s Ramily Club’s “Big Saps” proved just how serious his fandom is, by sporting a Rams tattoo that covers most of his head.

For many fans, winning the Super Bowl is huge not just for the moment but for the future of a team looking to build a new generation of LA fans after 20 years in St. Louis. Did it take more than six years back home to LA to build the kind of general support for the “they’re everywhere” fans who drive teams like the Raiders and Cowboys? Probably not, if Wednesday’s turnout is any indication.

Alba Alvarado, aka “Ramdelita,” Juan Gonzales, her “Ramcho-Villa,” and Anthony “Raminator” Ortiz drove an hour to celebrate, wearing Rams-flavored outfits that included evening coats and scarves, inspired by Mexican history.

“My idea came from wanting to represent Mexican culture and what better way to represent it than with Ramdelita and Ramcho-Villa,” says Alvarado. “We just added Ram to it.”

“We were fighting a football war,” she added, “and we won it, honey!”

The Rams seem to have exploited the considerable loyalty of the Latinx inhabitants. The team has launched a sweeping “Vamos Rams” campaign with its own line of merchandise and may be the only team in the NFL to have its own branded mariachis band.

“We’re athletes,” said Gino Labomme from Rancho Cucamonga, striding the parade route with Ricky Parkhouse, “We didn’t make it through (to the pros), but we still did.” support the team.”

Having just got off the train from Rancho Cucamonga, I talked to two longtime friends – Ricky Parkhouse and Gino Labomme – about why they made the journey to #laramsparade today.#larams pic.twitter.com/UdcdDqtJUV

– Ryan Carter (@ryinie) February 16, 2022

Labomme said the Super Bowl finale was a special moment for lifelong friends and will be the driving force behind the team for years to come. “It will go down like a classic,” he declared.

Even amid all the commotion, profound issues continued to be raised as the Super Bowl drew the attention of the Los Angeles area.

Father Charles Grays, a pastor from San Francisco, went to the parade site to help a friend sell Rams merchandise. He enjoyed the big game, but continued to worry about racial equality and cultural respect in the NFL, topics Commissioner Roger Goodell struggled with during his walk to the event.

“I don’t understand why the Black National Anthem was sung in the parking lot, instead of in the stadium at the Super Bowl,” Grays said. “This is Black History Month… I think it’s time to wake up, America needs to get it right.”

Back in the Bay Area, Grays worked to educate Black youth in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and Black History. “Let’s talk about fairness for the Negro,” Grays said. “In the NFL and in general, especially in the inner city.”

Before the parade, Michael Pugrad, of Fullerton, and his family were soaking up the Ram-ness. For Pugrad, that moment was deeply personal. The thing is, he’s part of a grassroots effort to bring the Rams back to LA.

He also reflects on his father, Paul, a Filipino immigrant who clung to the Rams in their front street. Louis in his heyday.

“He doesn’t know about any kind of sport. All he knows is work. But he attached himself to the Los Angeles Rams. And he’s been a fan ever since. I grew up a Ram fan. My first game was in ’68 here at the Colosseum. I raised my family to be Rams fans. ”

He took off his veil for a moment: “Look, I can’t stop laughing,” he said. “This is my childhood dream. Now look away. We are world champions. ”

Pugrad had to laugh even more. Just minutes after Wednesday’s ceremony ended, while the huge crowd was pouring out in every way, one of Pugrad’s sons, also named Michael, stood on a high wall separating the beach. Parking with grass in front of the Colosseum.

When the noise after the ceremony began to subside, he asked Mayra Cervantes, who was there with him, to marry him.

She said yes.

They kiss.

They hugged each other.

There are smiles and cell phone photos from complete strangers who glimpse the moment.