Even though the Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the initial turnout to their Super Bowl parade reinforces L.A.’s unfavorable reputation for sports.
Patriots fans never got tired of seeing their team parade through the streets of Boston, even after six championships in 18 years. The Bengals have never won a Super Bowl, but if they did win on Sunday, Bengals Nation made it clear their Cincinnati pride would fill the streets in celebration.
In Los Angeles, early parade numbers seemed to be a different story. The Los Angeles Rams won their second Super Bowl in franchise history and their first Super Bowl in Los Angeles — they were still the St. Louis Rams in 2000 — but the parade crowd on Feb. 16 initially seemed absent of enthusiasm. Spectrum News SoCal reporter Jada Montemarano showed the streets an hour before the parade started with large swaths of the barricades completely empty.
There are hundreds of fans at the LA Coliseum where the Rams rally will take place around 12 pm. But the parade starts in an hour and the route is empty! Where are you Rams fans?! pic.twitter.com/K2PQon6OKI
— Jada Montemarano (@JadaMontemarano) February 16, 2022
Where are the Rams fans? There are none https://t.co/xlPX89e78C
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 16, 2022
is this the lamest championship parade since the Devils strode around the Meadowlands parking lots? https://t.co/fZTIi4hFtl
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) February 16, 2022
The Rams parade rules https://t.co/CsdhBVZ06b
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) February 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1494031265070202884
Rams fans fail to show up in numbers early at Super Bowl parade
Even if Rams fans weren’t filling every inch of the parade route barricades early on, later aerial shots of the parade traveling down Figueroa Street showed hundreds of fans cheering on the Rams.
RAMS SUPER BOWL PARADE: The electric energy from the fans can even be felt from up above. @Stu_Mundel reports from SkyFOX: https://t.co/SwZfBbwrSl pic.twitter.com/C2OhEa76RS
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) February 16, 2022
The Rams showed their love for the city by honoring one of its greatest sports legends. Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp made a statement by wearing a Kobe Bryant Lakers jersey.
KOBE LOVE: Cooper Kupp honored one of the city's most beloved athletes by donning a Kobe Bryant jersey during the Rams parade. 💜🏆 https://t.co/38kx3dOq31 pic.twitter.com/Di2fcAKJsO
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 16, 2022
Legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who made the game-winning play that sealed the Bengals’ fate on Sunday, suggested that the Rams could run it back — especially if Donald doesn’t retire.
Aaron Donald at Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory parade: "Why not run it back?"https://t.co/iB0N1po8AQ pic.twitter.com/t56JQPFPCA
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 16, 2022
Many fans continued milling about and continuing the celebration after the parade ended.
Still a crowd hanging around after the Rams’ rally, including some that stopped by the merchandise truck for some last minute shopping. pic.twitter.com/30pt8LhZZ5
— L.A. Daily News (@ladailynews) February 16, 2022
What can be said of L.A. fans, then? Even though the city has a reputation for casual celebrity fans, there are still thousands of loyal, dedicated Rams fans who showed up to block parties in blue and yellow fashion statements to celebrate their team.
A fan threw a drink to the Rams parade bus from the window 😂 pic.twitter.com/OyW6QtUo3E
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 16, 2022
'I got L.A. tattooed on my chest': Block party erupts at Rams Super Bowl parade https://t.co/e4lDPQqdSd
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 16, 2022
The Rams Super Bowl parade Wednesday was many things. A celebration. A block party. A civic bonding sessions.
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 16, 2022
But it was also a DIY fashion show.https://t.co/sseHSf8qJa