WAILUKU, HAWAII – Day 2 of minicamp in Maui brought a full crowd to War Memorial Stadium to watch the Rams practice. Kids lined the stands to get autographs afterwards, and the players obliged.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford then spoke with the media about the first two days of "Mauicamp" and the significance of giving back to a community that's had struggles similar to that of Los Angeles.
Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from that press conference:
"I mean, it's obviously very different (from other minicamp experiences I've had) and still really rewarding in the same way, (a) unique experience, like I said, that gives us perspective, and hopefully gives the people here something to cheer about when the Rams are on TV." - Stafford
This is Stafford's 17th NFL minicamp, but he's never had one in paradise. He said it's been "awesome" to be in Maui, giving back to a community that has endured lasting damage from wildfires, just as Los Angeles did recently. "It's times like that you got to rally around each other," Stafford said, adding that it probably feels isolating to be on a literal island where help isn't always readily accessible.
On Tuesday, the Rams held a flag football camp for local girls and boys, which Stafford said was "a lot of fun." The athletes were "impressive" and some came back for more on Wednesday.
"It's a unique opportunity to kind of show the kids and the people of this area what we do, and be able to interact with them and hopefully inspire some young Puka Nacuas. There's some guys coming around out here that can get it done." - Stafford
Stafford feels "it's great" that the Rams go out of their way to give back to communities in need and spread the game of football. Many kids and even some adults in the area had never seen an NFL team in person, and the Rams have given them that opportunity. While the NFL veterans ran the youth camp, the Rams' rookie class worked with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild houses in Lahaina.
"We're all here for each other," Stafford said.
