Rwanda’s flagship tourism brand, Visit Rwanda, has recently forged a landmark partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, a franchise with a long and celebrated history in the National Football League (NFL). The deal is designed to expand Visit Rwanda’s presence in U.S. sports and to add to its global portfolio, which already includes partnerships with Arsenal in the English Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in French Ligue 1, Atlético de Madrid of LaLiga, and an academy deal with German football giants FC Bayern Munich. ALSO READ: Atlético de Madrid: What to know about new Visit Rwanda partner NFL is not so common in Africa, but it is among the sports leading with massive fanbase in the United States. Times Sport presents to you some of the things you need to know about the Rams History The Los Angeles Rams were founded in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams, joining the NFL the following year. In 1946, the team relocated to Los Angeles, becoming the first NFL franchise on the West Coast. Over the years, the team also moved to St. Louis (1995–2015) before returning to Los Angeles in 2016. The franchise has won four league titles, cementing its status as one of the league’s elite teams. SOFi Stadium The Rams play home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which opened in 2020. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 70,000, which can be expanded to 100,240 for major events, and with a dual-sided 4K video board to enhance the experience for attendees. SoFi Stadium also hosts concerts and major events, reinforcing the Rams’ visibility on a global scale. Historic “Greatest Show on Turf” era From 1999 to the early 2000s, the Rams’ offense earned the nickname ‘Greatest Show on Turf’, led by quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk. This high-powered offense revolutionized the NFL with its speed and creativity, culminating in a Super Bowl XXXIV victory in 2000. ALSO READ: Visit Rwanda inks sponsorship deal with Atletico de Madrid Legendary players who shaped the franchise The Rams’ history is filled with iconic NFL legends, including Deacon Jones, the Hall of Fame defensive end who coined the term “sack,” running back Eric Dickerson who set the NFL single-season rushing record in 1984 and Marshall Faulk, another Hall of Fame running back who led the high-powered “Greatest Show on Turf” offense. Others include star defensive tackle and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and quarterback Kurt Warner who led the Rams to their 2000th Super Bowl victory. Key moments in Rams history The Rams’ storied history is marked by iconic victories and seasons: Super Bowl XXXIV 1999: Victory over the Tennessee Titans, highlighted by a game-winning tackle on the final play. NFC 2018 Championship: Victory over the New Orleans Saints, leading to Super Bowl LIII appearance. Super Bowl LVI 2022: Dramatic win over the Cincinnati Bengals, with quarterback Matthew Stafford earning MVP honors. Upcoming games The Rams’ 2025 season promises exciting matchups, including: Oct 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers Oct 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens Oct 19: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
