Rams Making Progress Off the Field

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There's been a feeling of optimism this week around Rams Park--an increased intensity in practice, as the players seem to sense they are on the verge of finally putting together four quarters of mistake-free football for their first win.

That result remains to be seen, but when it does happen there will surely be talk and credit for how the team has worked and bought in to turning things around.

Rightfully so.

But part of the bigger plan is already proving successful.

As you may have noticed, this past Sunday the Edward Jones Dome had a new look to it. Sixteen banners surrounded the field--each highlighting a different group supported by a player with with tickets to the game.

Some were familiar to me because of previous endeavors--The Oshiomogho Atogwe “I Am” Foundation and The Randy McMichael Foundation.

But others I wasn't so quick to recognize or had even been aware of their existence--

#3 Josh Brown                           Special Teams For Special Forces

#11 Laurent Robinson                 Laurent's Legends

#12 Kyle Boller                          The Kyle Boller Community Foundation

#39 Steven Jackson                   Jackson's Kids of Action

#24 Ron Bartell                          Bartell's Bunch

#60 Jason Brown                       Jason Brown's Wisdom For Life

#63 Jacob Bell                           Bell's Block

#68 Richie Incognito                   Richie Incognito's Wolfpack

#72 Chris Long                          Chris Long's Dream Team

#91 Leonard Little                      Little's Leaders

There were also a couple of other groups that stood out--

Sylvester Croom                     Coach Croom's Crew

Kevin Demoff                           Demoff's Dreamers

Bob Reif                                   Edward W. Reif Endowment

Friends of the Front Office       Molly Higgins, Mike O'Keefe, Adam Jacobs,
                                                Jake Bye, Kanyon West, Chad Watson

And while special groups and sections is nothing new at sporting events--these types of banners line several of the other stadiums I've seen on the road. But, this is something different for a Rams game.

Last year, there were only three players who supported groups like this with tickets.

Each group provides a minimum of 20 kids with free tickets to a game, so that means 3,000 kids will be guests of the Rams this season.

Sure, players can afford this kind of generosity--but seems it would be especially easy to forget about these types of charitable efforts in the course of the losing stretch we've seen here in St. Louis.

Even more so, the front office isn't making the same kind of cash as players so it's even more impressive for them to reach into their own pockets.

Later in the week, as I talked with both James Laurinaitis and Jason Smith about volunteer work they're doing with children in the area. Taking time to talk with them--and it's not always about football. And for the players, it's definitely not about getting praise or attention for their work. They honestly care and want to give back.

Same with most of the guys on the team that are involved in the community. There's a lot being done every week, but it's rarely talked about--and that's how the players want it.

But as we look to see their committment on the field, I think it's important that they're recognized for the committment off of it as well.

As fans, we often ask for players to make St. Louis your home, take an interest and become part of our community. This is doing just that.

Sure, a win on Sunday makes things a little easier for the rest of the week but these efforts have a much more long-lasting effect and provide true winners.