September 29, 1946: The Los Angeles Rams Play Their First NFL Game in LA
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On September 29, 1946, the Los Angeles Rams made history by playing their first NFL game as the first major sports franchise on the West Coast. The Rams, who had just relocated from Cleveland after winning the 1945 NFL Championship, took the field at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a monumental venue with seating for nearly 100,000 fans.
The Rams’ relocation was driven by the team’s owner, Dan Reeves, who saw the burgeoning city of Los Angeles as an opportunity to expand the NFL’s presence. Despite skepticism about whether professional football could succeed on the West Coast, the Rams were determined to make their mark. The move also carried significance as the team became one of the first in modern professional football to reintegrate African-American players, signing Kenny Washington, a trailblazing figure whose presence helped reshape the sport.
The Rams’ first opponent as an LA team was the Philadelphia Eagles. A crowd of around 30,000 spectators gathered at the Coliseum to witness this historic event, eager to see how the Rams would fare in their new city. Although the Rams lost the game to the Eagles, 25-14, the enthusiasm and excitement in the stands proved that Los Angeles was ready to embrace professional football.
The Rams’ arrival in Los Angeles set the stage for future expansion of professional sports on the West Coast. It also opened doors for the integration of football and other professional sports, creating a foundation for a rich sporting tradition in LA. Over the years, the Rams would go on to have a rollercoaster journey, from championship victories to relocations, but their first game in LA stands as a key milestone in NFL history.
As we look back on this pivotal moment, it’s clear that the Rams’ bold move westward reshaped the NFL, paving the way for the league’s expansion and success across the country.
