The Los Angeles Rams hosted an Opening Ceremony to kick off the Inglewood Rams Flag Football League on October 13 at Edward Vincent Jr. Park.
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood kickoff opening ceremonies for the Inglewood Rams flag football season. Saturday, October 12, 2019, Inglewood, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams hosted an Opening Ceremony to kick off the Inglewood Rams Flag Football League on October 13 at Edward Vincent Jr. Park. The Rams recently adopted the Inglewood Parks and Recreation Flag Football League, renaming the program The Inglewood Rams, which consists of more than 260 youth participants (ages 5-12) and 22 teams named after current Rams players (i.e. Team Gurley, Team Donald, Team Goff).
The event featured remarks from Community Affairs & Engagement Manager JOHNATHAN FRANKLIN, City of Inglewood Mayor JAMES BUTTS and Inglewood Police Chief MARK FRONTEROTTA. Following the ceremony, team mascot Rampage and Mayor Butts participated in the opening coin toss for the program's inaugural game.
"It's not just what's happening today, but it's the experiences we're able to provide for their future," said Franklin. "To host an opening ceremony with the Inglewood mayor and Chief of Police really paints the picture of what community means to all of our participants."
As Franklin watched the players take the field in their new uniforms, he couldn't help but smile as he reflected on his youth football days, what it felt like to kickoff a new season, and the many mentors who helped him during his early stages of development.
"It's about being mentors and role models," said Franklin. "I started playing football here for the Inglewood Jets when I was young. Fast forward and I'm now going into my fourth season with the Rams and I'm reflecting on the power of role models and community members. For an NFL team to come pour into these youth…who knows who they can become or what they can become. We're validating them and giving them hope. Our goal is to maintain and build upon that hope."
A handful of coaches within the Inglewood Rams Flag Football league also serve as officers for the Inglewood Police Department who hope to continue building positive relationships with members of their community through the game of football and various other engagement opportunities.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the Inglewood Police Department to strengthen our bond in the community. It shows what we're about," said Inglewood Police Chief Mark Fronterotta. "We have several officers that are coaching. We believe in this community and we look to build with them for years to come."
The Los Angeles Rams are funding all football components of the Inglewood Rams program, including uniforms and equipment. The team has also engaged Inglewood Rams coaches and parents in a Positive Coaching Alliance workshop and donated a total of 800 tickets to players, coaches and parents for the team's home games against the Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
