As wildfires continue to engulf the Los Angeles area, the NFL announced on Thursday night that it has decided to relocate the playoff game between the Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams in the interest of public safety.

The game will take place on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. It was previously scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs, and the NFLPA.

Talking to reporters on Thursday afternoon at TCO Performance Center before the NFL announced the change, head coach Kevin O’Connell, who who grew up in Carlsbad, Calif., less than 100 miles south of Los Angeles, offered his thoughts to those impacted.

“You feel helpless watching it from here knowing how many people are being impacted,” O’Connell. “I hold Southern California near and dear to my heart.”

The numbers are sobering as the wildfires have forced more than 180,000 people from their homes with authorities unclear on the total number of deaths.

As a kid growing up in Southern California in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, O’Connell has been exposed to wildfires at different points of his life.

Asked how this tragedy compares, O’Connell replied, “This feels different.” In that same breath, O’Connell praised the first responders, as well, for risking their lives this week trying to contain the wildfires.

“You think about the impact it has on so many folks,” O’Connell said. “Our prayers are with all those impacted.”

Though they will be opponents during the playoff game, O’Connell reached out to Rams coach Sean McVay this week to check in. They built a close friendship during their shared time with the Rams as O’Connell served as the offensive coordinator under McVay.

“I connected with him early on because I know about where he lives,” O’Connell said. “The area we’re talking about, there are a lot of people in a very small square mile radius. You never know who’s being impacted. I’ve had some dialogue with folks that have lost everything and there are really no words.”

It was a similar message from quarterback Sam Darnold, who grew up in San Clemente, Calif., a little more than 50 miles south of Los Angeles.

“It’s tough being from the area and knowing a couple of people who’ve been affected,” Darnold said. “My thoughts go out to those people that are struggling through that.”

Not much changes for the Vikings from a preparation standpoint regardless of where the playoff game takes place.

“There are a lot of really talented people in our building and with the league office that help coordinate these things in times like this,” O’Connell said. “We’re very fortunate to be able to focus on playing a football game as the road team.”

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