Leading up to the Los Angeles Rams 2024 home opener against the San Fransisco 49ers, the team partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to install a 60-yard turf football field at Nickerson Gardens, the largest housing development west of the Mississippi. The installation will bring enriching programming to underserved youth and create a lasting impact on the young people of the Watts public housing development and community at large. The very same field was brought to Hermosa Beach during the 2024 NFL Draft by the team and SoFi.
Rams safety and team captain Quentin Lake and running back Kyren Williams joined the event to unveil the field and lead youth in a flag football clinic.
"In a community like Watts, where green spaces are limited, this field is more than just a place to play - it is an investment in our youth, our community, and their future. It provides our youth a safe space to grow, learn teamwork, and develop critical leadership skills," said Marisela Ocampo, HACLA's Director of Housing Services. "These types of investments are deeply needed in the Watts community. HACLA would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Los Angeles Rams for investing in Nickerson Gardens and the residents we serve."
As part of the unveiling, the Rams worked with HACLA, Project Blue, ThinkWatts Foundation and Watts Gang Taskforce, to invite over 100 youth from various housing developments in Watts to come together for a moment of unity on the field. After the ribbon cutting, the team hosted a football clinic and flag football game for the united community of Watts. Development of the field was also supported through the NFL Foundation's Club Matching Field Grant program.
"For me to be here and really enjoy being with these kids and experience this together with them, is nothing but a blessing," said Lake. "The game of football is bigger than the players and the team. It's not just the Rams, it's the Rams House, it's everybody here. I'm so happy to show these kids that with hard work and effort they could be in the same position as me."
"The NFL Foundation is proud to partner with the Los Angeles Rams and HACLA to develop a youth football field in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Development," said NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation Alexia Gallagher. "Through the NFL Foundation's Club Matching Field Grant program, we strive to create access to opportunities for youth across the country to stay active and healthy through the game of football. We are excited to provide youth in the Watts community with a safe space to play for years to come."
The field will provide community members with a lasting space to learn, play and connect with one another. The Rams believe football is a game that develops transferrable life skills and strong character, promotes health and wellness, enhances opportunities to further education, and broadens perspectives while building a sense of community and creating more pathways for young men and women in sports.
"When we made a splash by bringing a turf football field to the beach in Hermosa Beach and providing lasting memories for thousands of local children, our longer impact play was always to find a permanent home for the field in an under-resourced community," said Molly Higgins, Los Angeles Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement. "We couldn't be more excited to bring this field – and all of the opportunities that come with the field - to the youth of Nickerson Gardens."
The Rams also surprised Donny Joubert, President of the Watts Gang Task Force, as a 2024 pLAymaker at the unveiling and presented him with a $5,000 donation. The Rams pLAymakers program recognizes 13 Angelenos each year for their efforts to fight injustice and pioneer with purpose in their communities as part of the NFL's Inspire Change platform. Each "pLAymaker" receives a financial grant from the Rams to support their community work and is recognized on the field during a Rams home game at SoFi Stadium. Since launching the program, the Rams have provided $160,000 to local pLAymakers.
"Without this field, our babies lack alternatives to the gangs who have claimed far too many lives in this community," said Joubert. Without this field, lives will be lost and ruined. With this field, the Rams are saying that our kids in Watts matter. With this field, we can reach them through the game of football and instill character traits that can lead to a better life."
In April, the Rams celebrated the NFL Draft with a week-long series of community efforts at SoFi Field where more than 2,000 local youth visited the field on the sand to participate in football-related activities while having the perfect view of the Pacific Ocean.
With the help of Hellas Construction, the field was reinstalled at Nickerson Gardens after being transferred from the strand on Hermosa Beach. Known for their eco-friendly approach, Hellas utilized UltraBaseSystems© Champion Panels made from recycled materials and Nexxfield® X-Gen E2 non-infilled system to provide a quality, safe and sustainable field.
Since returning to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams have been committed to serving the community of Watts. Key programs include the Watts Rams, the partnership with Watts-native STIX and more.
Designed to bridge the gap between communities of color and law enforcement, the Watts Rams is a coed youth football program coached by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers. Through LAPD's Community Safety Partnership Bureau (CSPB) and Project Blue, community leaders are able to connect with local youth. This unique program allows young student-athletes to see police officers as human beings and mentors, while allowing the officers to get to know the youth and families they serve. Beyond the game of football, the Rams provide the Watts Rams with educational opportunities, access to players, coaches and staff, and enrichment activities throughout the year. The program also emphasizes character development and community service.
Since 2020, a Watts native, rapper, producer and the founder of the Thinkwatts Foundation, Brandon "STIX" Salaam-Bailey, has teamed up with the Rams to address social injustices. This year, the Los Angeles Rams and Pacsun donated washer and dryer sets to local schools in historically under-resourced communities to combat chronic absenteeism. Through their recently launched "Loads of Love" program supported by Thinkwatts Foundation, 20 schools from Compton Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District will receive a set, ensuring students have clean clothes.
