Celebrating Black History Month at the Coliseum

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The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is proud to recognize February as “Black History Month” and celebrate the achievements of African Americans and their role in both our history, as well as the history of the United States.

For nearly 95 years, our stadium has hosted thousands of events before more than 118 million visitors which featured some of the most recognizable African American athletes, performers and dignitaries who not only define universal human aspiration, but whose accomplishments continue to inspire generations; including among others, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington, Carl Lewis, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Today, the Coliseum is proud to celebrate the legacy of Brice Union Taylor, an athlete who broke racial barriers for African American football players.

Born on July 4, 1902 in Seattle, Taylor was a descendant of African slaves and Native American tribe leaders. Tragically, he was orphaned at the age of 5 and grew up in a foster home. As a teenager, Taylor discovered his athletic skills and was accepted onto his high school football team. Although he was born without a left hand, Taylor was phenomenally talented, and was offered scholarships from more than two dozen universities when he graduated. In 1923, Taylor accepted an offer from the head football coach at the University of Southern California, “Gloomy” Gus Henderson.

Taylor was a Trojan from 1923-1926, and in 1925, he became USC’s first All-American football player. After graduating, Taylor was hired by Southern University in Louisiana as the Head Coach and Athletic Director, a tremendous accomplishment at that time, particularly in the southern parts of the United States. In 1931, Taylor led Southern to its first undefeated season in his final season.

After leaving Southern University, Taylor returned to California, becoming the first African American high school head football coach at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles. In addition to coaching and teaching, Taylor also received a doctorate in theology, serving over 40 years as a minister in the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.

For his profound impact and contributions towards not only our history but in breaking unjust racial barriers that paved the way for African American athletes in this country, Brice Union Taylor’s plaque resides within our Memorial Court of Honor.

United Airlines Comes to the Coliseum

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Today, United Airlines and USC announced a naming rights agreement to help sustain and renovate the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, one of the sports world’s most beloved historical landmarks and home of the USC Trojans since 1923. Under the agreement, the venue will officially become the United Airlines Memorial Coliseum beginning in August 2019, which coincides with the completion of the current $270 million renovation project. While honoring our architectural integrity, the project will include renovations and repairs to enhance the stadium and improve guest experience in time for the Coliseum’s 2023 centennial celebration.

Together with United, we are proud to ensure the Coliseum’s future as a world-class venue and true community asset.

Click here for more details

RAMS LEGENDS TO BE FEATURED AT NFC WILD CARD GAME TOMORROW

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1979 NFC Champions to Light Coliseum Cauldron

 Hall of Famers Dickerson, Mack and Pace to Participate in Coin Toss

 Rams to Honor HOF Finalist Isaac Bruce

The Los Angeles Rams will host the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC Wild Card Round on Saturday, January 6 at 5:15 p.m. PT at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The first Rams postseason matchup at the LA Memorial Coliseum since 1979, sponsored by Hyundai, will be televised on NBC, as well as on radio in English on ESPN LA 710 AM and 93.1 Jack FM, and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes 1330 AM. Tickets to the NFC Wild Card game are available at TheRams.com/Playoffs or by calling (800) 745-3000, with prices starting at $85.

In celebration of this historic game, the team will honor a variety of Rams Legends on Saturday including ISAAC BRUCE, ERIC DICKERSON, TOM MACK, ORLANDO PACE and JACKIE SLATER.

All gates will open at 3:00 p.m. PT, with select gates (1 and 28) opening at 2:00 p.m. PT for fans who wish to visit the Corona Beach House or Rams Party Zone spaces located on the Peristyle end of the stadium that feature concessions and shade open to all ticketholders. Fans will receive a NFC West Champion rally towel upon entry at all gates.

Rams Fan Fest is located on Christmas Tree Lane in Expo Park on the East side of the Coliseum and will be open from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. PT. Activities include the Cedars-Sinai Kids’ Zone, live pregame radio broadcast with 710 ESPN LA, opportunities to sign up and win exclusive Rams experiences, as well as Rams merchandise and concessions available for sale.

Below are details around how Rams Legends will be celebrated on Saturday. For more information about Rams gamedays, please visit www.therams.com/gameday or the Rams Mobile App.

RAMS HALL OF FAME ALUMNI TO BE RECOGNIZED DURING COIN TOSS

Rams Gold Jacket honorees ERIC DICKERSON, TOM MACK, and ORLANDO PACE will join the team captains at midfield to participate in the game’s opening coin toss.

Eric Dickerson established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most rushing touchdowns (18). His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. In 1988, Dickerson became the first player in NFL history to gain more than 1,000 yards in seven consecutive seasons and was the fastest running back to reach 10,000 yards (91 games). He is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time All-Pro.

In his 184-game tenure at left guard with the Los Angeles Rams, Tom Mack never missed a game. His consecutive game streak ranks third in Rams’ history, behind only Jack Youngblood and Merlin Olsen. Mack enjoyed 12 winning seasons, winning the division eight times and playing in four NFC Championship games. He earned 11 Pro Bowl invitations and was an All-Pro or All-NFC selection nine times in a ten-year span (1969-1978).

The former first overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Orlando Pace was an integral member of the Rams’ explosive offense that transformed the franchise into a perennial winner. He was part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” offense that produced three straight seasons of scoring more than 500 points. In 1999, the Rams advanced to the playoffs with wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before capturing a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans. Pace was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time All-Pro and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

MEMBERS OF 1979 LA RAMS TEAM TO LIGHT THE COLISEUM TORCH

Rams Legends FRANK CORRAL, NOLAN CROMWELL, REGGIE DOSS, VINCE FERRAGAMO, LAWRENCE McCUTCHEON, and JACKIE SLATER will light the Coliseum Torch prior to kickoff.

RAMS TO SALUTE 2018 HOF FINALIST ISAAC BRUCE

On Saturday, former Rams receiver ISAAC BRUCE will be honored on the field in the south east end zone. A highlight tape of his career accomplishments will be played on the stadium video boards and Bruce will be congratulated for being named a finalist in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

Bruce was drafted by the Rams in the second round (33rd overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft after playing his college ball at the University of Memphis. In his 14 seasons with the Rams (1994-2007), Bruce played in 197 games (179 starts) and totaled 942 receptions for 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns, currently holding the Rams’ record in all three categories. He was named to four Pro Bowls, including three in a row from 1999-2001. In the Super Bowl XXXIV victory against the Tennessee Titans, Bruce hauled in six passes for 162 yards including the 73-yard game-winning touchdown. Prior to his retirement, Bruce also held the distinction of being the last active NFL player who had competed for a Los Angeles-area franchise before the team moved to St. Louis following the 1994 season.

HALL OF FAME TACKLE JACKIE SLATER TO SERVE AS ALUMNUS OF THE GAME

Rams Legend JACKIE SLATER will be honored during the first timeout of the second quarter.

Slater was drafted in the 3rd round (86th overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1976 NFL Draft. He played 20 seasons with the Rams (1976-1995), tied third all-time for the most seasons played in NFL history. Slater’s 259 regular season games played was the most ever by an offensive lineman when he retired and his 18 playoff game appearances are a Rams’ record.  He was a First- or Second-team All-Pro selection five times and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Slater currently serves as a football analyst for FOX with former Rams teammate Vince Ferragamo.

RAMS HALL OF FAMERS & GOLD JACKET FINALISTS TO VISIT VIVID SEATS TAILGATE

2018 Rams Hall of Fame finalist Isaac Bruce, semifinalist TORRY HOLT, 1999 HOF inductee Tom Mack, and 2016 HOF inductee Orlando Pace will visit the Vivid Seats Tailgate area from 3:30 – 4:15 PM, providing fans with the opportunity to take photos and get autographs from some of their favorite Rams Legends.

The Legends also will join ESPNLA’s Voice of the Rams J.B. LONG for an onstage “chalk talk” at 3:45 PM to discuss the Rams-Falcons NFC Wild Card matchup.

The L.A. Memorial Coliseum to Host 2018 NFL Wild Card Playoff Game

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The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is set to host a NFL Wild Card Playoff game for the first time since January 9th, 1994, when the Los Angeles Raiders took on the Denver Broncos in front of a crowd of 60,989. (Final Score: Raiders 42, Broncos 24)

Playoff tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Friday for the Wild Card Playoff game on either Jan. 6 or Jan. 7. For more information, please click here.