Need to Know
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Players from the Los Angeles Rams referred to themselves as “guinea pigs” after a spring trip to Australia. This was to test logistics for the first NFL game in the country.
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The team developed their travel plans for the season opener in Melbourne on September 10 based on feedback from four players who experienced the long journey firsthand.
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“It’s a business trip, and we gotta do what we gotta do,” said Kyren Williams to the Los Angeles Times about their trip.
The Rams are set to face the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the first NFL game in Australia. The 16-hour flight and time zone difference posed logistical challenges, and the timing of their departure has been debated.
While the 49ers arrived on September 3, the Rams chose to land on the morning of the game, a decision informed by the earlier trip of the four Rams players.
Quote from Kevin Dotson: “They kind of used us as guinea pigs,” he remarked during Rams training camp. Dotson traveled with Kyren Williams, Tyler Davis, and Xavier Smith.
Their “physical and mental experiences in flight” informed the team’s scheduling decisions. Davis mentioned he managed to sleep “eight to 10 hours” during his spring flight, which helped him adjust quickly upon landing. Williams expressed concerns about daytime sleeping affecting his rhythm, emphasizing the professionalism needed for the trip.
Dotson remains optimistic: “It’s going to be exhausting regardless, but the amount of rest we’ll get in between will be fine.”
Game Information
- Kickoff: 8:35 p.m. ET on September 10.
For more insights, read the original article on People.
