On Monday, June 10, all 29 of the Rams Rookies paid a visit to Cedars-Sinai, the team's official health partner, and went room-to-room in an effort to bring joy and hope to patients and their families by signing autographs, posing for photographs, and giving out rally towels.  

The visit to Cedars-Sinai was one of a handful of ways the Rookies have begun to serve the Los Angeles Community off the field. For Cornerback David Long Jr., an LA native from Pasadena, the experience allowed him to reach out to the community he's always called home.

"It's great being a local guy and being able to come back home. I went away for school, so to be back here in the same community that I grew up in and laid my foundation in is great," said Long. "We spoke with patients from all walks of life and came to give them some hope, to be a resource for them, and to give them someone to depend on during a tough time."

Also walking from room-to-room visiting patients in the cancer fusion unit was offensive lineman Chandler Brewer, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma during his senior year of college in 2018. When Brewer was first informed of the hospital visit, he specifically requested to visit the cancer fusion units. The Florence, Alabama native shared a special connection with the patients he visited and talked about his experiences during his final year at Middle Tennessee State University and why his visit to Cedars-Sinai was especially meaningful.

"Back in July of 2018 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer," said Brewer. "It's been a ride and I'm going into remission now. I didn't have it has hard as a lot of other people, but I've been in their shoes. I know what they're going through. It's just great to be here and be able use our platform to let them know that we're here, we care, and we support them."

As the Executive Director of Pediatric Services, Courtnay Caufield believes the Rookies' surprise visit left a huge impression on the patients, their families and staff at Cedars-Sinai. She sincerely thanked the Rams players for their kindness and for offering patients a fun escape.  

"The smiles said it all. When the Rams show up, it's always a breath of fresh air for the parents and children to be distracted and visited by the players who take them out of the hospital environment and into a world of sports and fun," said Caufield. "The staff was so impressed by the kind and gentle nature of the players who came. They had no mission or agenda. They came to just chat and share love and smiles and some hugs. It was not only a great surprise for the children and their families, but the staff was so impressed and grateful as well. A little bit of Hollywood and superstars in their own rooms, what a great treat! Everyone is asking when they can come back and if we can make sure the Rams games are on TV in the patient rooms."

Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit academic healthcare organization serving the diverse Los Angeles community and beyond. With pioneering medical research achievements, education programs defining the future of healthcare, and wide-ranging community benefit activities, Cedars-Sinai is setting new standards for quality and innovation in patient care.