Rams L.A. bound: 30 of 32 NFL owners voted in favor of relocating the Rams to Inglewood, CA Tuesday. As a result, the Rams will be leaving St. Louis to play football games just 10 miles from downtown L.A. in 2016.
"Today, with the NFL returning home, Los Angeles cements itself as the epicenter of the sports world," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement, via ESPN. "We cannot wait to welcome the Rams, and perhaps others soon, as they join a storied lineup of professional franchises, collegiate powerhouses and sports media companies."
The NFL's presence has been absent from L.A. for 21 years, which is mind boggling considering that L.A. is the second-largest media market in the country.
The Rams were previously based in L.A. from 1946 to 1994 and enjoyed a great deal of success. Over 48 years in L.A., the Rams posted a .549 winning percentage, 21 playoff appearances and one NFL title in 1951.
Over 20 years in St. Louis, the Rams posted a meager .424 winning percentage and made just five playoff appearances–although a 1999 birth resulted in a Super Bowl championship.
In a post to Twitter, Rams defensive end Chris Long expressed his gratitude towards the St. Louis Fans and apologized on behalf of the team's shortcomings over the past eight seasons.
Humbly, eternally gratefully: Thank you St. Louis. I'm sorry we fell short the past 8 years. You treated me like family anyways. I love yall
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) January 13, 2016
This is the second time St. Louis fans have had to say goodbye to an NFL franchise. Back in 1988, the city lost the Cardinals after the franchise relocated to Arizona.
The San Diego Chargers or Oakland Raiders could eventually join the Rams in L.A., although ownership of both teams didn't come close making a commitment Tuesday.
The Chargers have a year to make a final decision. If they decline, the Raiders will then have the option to relocate.
Big Ben's throwing shoulder injured: With just five days before the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos battle for a shot to play in the AFC Championship game, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger confirmed that he has a sprained AC joint and torn ligaments in his throwing shoulder.
The confirmation came during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. His official status is day-to-day, but Roethlisberger will see how he feels during Wednesday's practice.
"I'll go in tomorrow with the intent to see what I can do," Roethlisberger said during the radio interview, via ESPN. "I honestly don't know."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said there's a chance the three-time Pro Bowler plays against the Broncos. However, backup quarterback Landry Jones will get the majority of the reps Wednesday while Roethlisberger rests his shoulder.
"I haven't tried to throw a football since the game, and maybe that's not even the right thing to do right away," Roethlisberger said, via ESPN. "I'll see the doctors and trainers tomorrow, we'll evaluate kind of how I feel.
"If anything, maybe I can practice and hand off and still get some mental reps that way. So we'll really just kind of see how it goes tomorrow."
Roethlisberger will need to play Sunday if the Steelers hope to knock off the AFC's number one seed. The offense could also be without star receiver Antonio Brown, who is still undergoing concussion protocol after suffering a hit to the helmet during last week's wild card game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
If neither Roethlisberger or Brown can go, the Steelers will be in major trouble against one of the league's top defenses with their season on the line.
