Neither the Lakers and Dodgers, who won the NBA Finals and World Series respectively in October, 2020, were able to celebrate their own titles with a victory parade themselves due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions at the time.
What is going ahead is a Super Bowl victory parade held by the Rams on Wednesday, February 16.
A Rams spokesperson told CNN that parade will begin at 11 a.m. PT at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. The celebration culminates with a rally at the iconic Peristyle of the Los Angeles Coliseum.
During the traditional visit to a Disney resort for the victorious Super Bowl team, three of the Rams’ key players in the 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals — quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald — all expressed interest to CNN’s Alex Thomas in the ‘City of Champions’ parade idea.
“That’s a great idea,” said Kupp. Donald called the suggestion “dope,” while Stafford says he thinks it would “bring a lot of people out. I’m in for that.”
On the same wavelength
The connection between Stafford and Kupp has been key to the Rams’ success this season.
Kupp had one of the all-time best receiving seasons in 2021, leading the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) before recording the most catches in a single postseason (33).
He was recently named the NFL’s offensive player of the year, and capped the season off with a stellar performance in Super Bowl.
The 28-year-old finished Sunday’s game with a team-high eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including the one-yard touchdown inside the final two minutes which proved the match-winner.
Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP as a result, and Stafford paid tribute to him and their relationship.
“It’s been a true pleasure being able to work with a guy like Coop, really all our guys do an unbelievable job,” the 34-year-old told CNN. “But, I spend a lot of time with Coop in the mornings and after practice as well.
“And that time just talking to each other, figuring out how we can make plays work in certain coverages, it comes to light on game day some times.
“And last night, it helped us bring home a world championship, which is something that our team’s worked so hard for. So, just so happy that the work that we put in helped everybody, helped the team. What a great team win it was.”
As for Kupp, he admits that his Valentine’s Day plans with his wife Anna had to be delayed somewhat to fit in the post-Super Bowl celebrations.
“Wow, you really put me on the spot right now,” he said with a smile when asked about the couple’s February 14 plans. “I think you guys got to see a little bit of our history, what she’s done for me kind of through our time together.
“We started dating senior year of high school, what she was for me and kind of as I was going through college, and allowing me to focus on football and providing for us.
“Not many people are married as sophomores in college, but we believed when you get married you separate from your parents, and you got to figure out your way on your own.
“For her to be able to do that, for her sacrifices that she’s made for so long, I just think she deserves the world so I’m just incredibly thankful for her and everything she’s done for me and I’m sure we’ve got something fun planned.
“I don’t know if it’s going to happen today; we might push Valentine’s Day back for us a few days.”